Ministry Tightens Subject Capping Policy for O-Level and A-Level Learners

Zimbabwe’s education ministry has tightened subject capping under the Heritage-Based Curriculum, limiting O-level learners to nine subjects and A-level students to three, citing quality learning and reduced academic overload (image source)

HARARE — The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced stricter enforcement of subject capping for both Ordinary and Advanced Level learners beginning this year, limiting O-level candidates to a maximum of nine subjects and restricting A-level students to the standard three subjects.

The move marks the full implementation of the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which the ministry says is aimed at improving quality of learning, reducing academic overload and aligning Zimbabwe’s education system with international standards.

The policy clarification follows renewed public debate sparked by the exceptional performance of Mukudzei Ziveyi, a Pamushana High School student from Masvingo Province, who scored 56 points in the 2025 A-level examinations after sitting for 12 subjects well beyond the prescribed limit. While Ziveyi’s achievement was widely celebrated, critics argued that such extreme subject loads risk encouraging unhealthy academic pressure and undermine the principle of focused learning.

Director of Communication and Advocacy in the ministry - Taungana Ndoro (image source)

Addressing the issue, Director of Communication and Advocacy in the ministry, Taungana Ndoro, said the policy on subject limits is clear and already revised to enforce strict caps. “To ensure depth of learning, quality of instruction and the integrity of learner outcomes, the ministry has instituted a cap on the number of examinable subjects. The standard is a maximum of nine subjects at Ordinary Level and three principal subjects at Advanced Level in the Heritage-Based Curriculum,” Ndoro said.

He explained that the policy is intended to promote mastery and competency rather than the accumulation of excessive subjects, which can lead to burnout and superficial learning. “This decisive move aims to promote profound understanding and competency, prevent excessive academic overload and align all schools and learners with a standardised, manageable curriculum framework,” Ndoro added.

Under the previous arrangement, government subsidised 55% of the cost of final examinations for up to seven subjects at O-level and three subjects at A-level, with learners paying full fees for any additional subjects. In Ziveyi’s case, the student revealed that he studied under intense pressure, often sleeping late, taking only brief breaks between examinations, and attending just one lesson per week per subject. Pamushana High School was reportedly required to seek special clearance from Zimsec to avoid timetable clashes.

Ndoro emphasised that the three-subject cap at A-level is aligned with both local and international tertiary education requirements, noting that most universities require a maximum of 15 A-level points for admission into degree programmes. He also dismissed claims of grade inflation, maintaining that improved pass rates reflect better teaching methods, learner commitment and targeted interventions rather than compromised standards. “We remain confident in the robustness and credibility of our national examination system,” he said.