ZIMSEC Exam Registration Alert: Ministry Warns of Fraudulent Private Schools
- Southerton Business Times
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
HARARE – As the registration window for the 2026 national school examinations enters its final stretch, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a high-alert warning to parents and guardians regarding a surge in examination fee fraud. The alert comes amid reports that several proprietors of unregistered private colleges have allegedly diverted registration funds for personal use, leaving thousands of students with sophisticated but fake statements of entry.
Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro emphasized that the time for parents to act is now. While the June ZIMSEC registration closed on February 27, the window for the November 2026 Advanced and Ordinary Level examinations is still open following a government extension. Critical Deadlines to Remember:
June 2026 Examinations: Registration closed February 27, 2026.
November 2026 Examinations: Deadline extended from March 27 to May 22, 2026.
“We urge parents to ensure they receive statements of entry with official ZIMSEC stamps and specific fonts. You are free to verify these directly with ZIMSEC,” Ndoro stated.
He noted that many fraudulent schools mimic the look of official documents, making physical verification at a ZIMSEC regional office or a known government center essential.
A recurring issue involves students attending "backyard" colleges that lack official ZIMSEC or Cambridge center status. Ndoro clarified that students at these institutions are not automatically registered for exams.
“Students attending unregistered schools must register as private candidates at approved examination centres. This includes government schools, council schools, or duly registered private colleges,” Ndoro explained.
To avoid last-minute heartbreak where students are turned away from exam halls, the Ministry recommends the following steps:
Personal Visit: Do not rely on school authorities to "handle everything." Visit the examination center in person.
Verify Center Status: Check if the school is a registered ZIMSEC center (Center Numbers are usually 6 digits).
Inspect the Statement of Entry: Ensure it has the correct candidate name, subjects, and the official ZIMSEC watermark/stamp.
Confirm Payment: Retain all original receipts and cross-match them with the school's submission list to ZIMSEC.
The government’s decision to extend the November registration deadline to May 22 provides a vital safety net for families to rectify any registration discrepancies discovered during this verification period.
ZIMSEC exam registration 2026 fraud
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