Government, Cambridge Clash Over Heritage-Based Curriculum as Schools Seek Clarity

HARARE — A disagreement has emerged between the Government of Zimbabwe and Cambridge University Press & Assessment over the implementation of the country's Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC), raising fresh uncertainty for schools, parents, and learners about the future relationship between local and international education systems. The dispute centres on whether learners will be allowed to choose between the Heritage-Based Curriculum and international curricula such as Cambridge, or whether the government's curriculum will be compulsory for all pupils.

The controversy follows a statement issued by Cambridge University Press & Assessment on June 15 after engagements with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), school associations, and other education stakeholders.

According to Cambridge, discussions with government officials indicated that learners would continue to have flexibility in choosing their curriculum pathway and would not be required to pursue both local and international programmes simultaneously.

"Through these discussions, the ministry clarified that learners will continue to have a choice of curriculum and will not be expected to take both local and international curricula," said Louise Hendoy in a statement released by Cambridge.

Cambridge also said it would collaborate with ZIMSEC on a structured review of the Heritage-Based Curriculum framework. The statement was welcomed by some private schools and parents who had expressed concerns about the possible impact of the reforms on internationally recognised qualifications.

However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education swiftly rejected Cambridge's interpretation, insisting that the Heritage-Based Curriculum remains mandatory for all learners in Zimbabwe. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said there was no policy allowing pupils to choose between curricula.

"There is no choice of curriculum. The Heritage-Based Curriculum is mandatory for all pupils in Zimbabwe. This position has not changed and will not be altered by any engagements with external examination bodies," Ndoro said.

He stressed that learners who pursue international qualifications will still be required to follow the Heritage-Based Curriculum and sit for national examinations administered by ZIMSEC.

According to the ministry, the first national examinations under the Heritage-Based Curriculum will be written in 2028. Government officials also indicated that ZIMSEC is expected to become the sole examining authority for Zimbabwe's national examinations from next year. While ruling out any ban on Cambridge qualifications, the ministry said international examinations would only serve as supplementary credentials.

"We are not banning Cambridge or any other international examination board. Pupils may voluntarily sit for Cambridge examinations as an additional qualification, a supplementary one, but this does not replace or exempt them from the mandatory HBC and ZIMSEC-administered national examinations," Ndoro said.

The ministry accused Cambridge of creating confusion by suggesting that learners could choose between curricula.

"Any suggestion that pupils have a choice between curricula is incorrect and misleading. Cambridge's statement does not reflect the policy direction of the Government of Zimbabwe," Ndoro said.

The disagreement comes at a crucial stage in Zimbabwe's education reform programme as authorities continue implementing the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which aims to align learning with the country's cultural heritage, industrialisation agenda, and national development priorities.

Education stakeholders say the differing interpretations have created uncertainty among schools and parents, particularly those enrolled in international learning programmes. With the first Heritage-Based Curriculum examinations scheduled for 2028, schools are expected to seek further guidance from both government and examination authorities to ensure learners are adequately prepared for the transition. For now, the central question remains unresolved for many parents: how international qualifications will coexist with Zimbabwe's compulsory Heritage-Based Curriculum framework in the years ahead.

Heritage-Based Curriculum Zimbabwe