‘No More Than 3 Subjects:’ New A-Level Rule After 56-Point Result Stuns Zimbabwe- iHarare News

Government Caps A-Level Subjects After Student Scores 56 Points In 12 Exams

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has moved to impose a strict cap on exam subjects after a student’s extraordinary achievement of scoring 56 points across 12 A-Level subjects resurrected national debate. The ministry will now enforce a limit of three principal subjects at Advanced Level and nine at Ordinary Level, aiming to shift focus from quantity to depth of learning.

This decisive policy change follows the remarkable 2025 examination results of Mukudzei Ziveyi, a 19-year-old student from Pamushana High School in Masvingo Province. Ziveyi achieved 56 points, a feat involving exams in subjects from Aerospace Mathematics to Crop Science, far exceeding the standard three-subject load.

Ministry Mandates “In-Depth Mastery” Over “Accumulation”

Director of Communication and Advocacy in the ministry, Taungana Ndoro, clarified the new directive. He stated the policy is designed to ensure quality and integrity within the new Heritage Based Curriculum.

“The ministry has a clear and revised policy on this matter. To ensure depth of learning, quality of instruction and the integrity of learner outcomes, MoPSE 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,” he said.

Mr Ndoro emphasised the rationale behind the cap, linking it directly to concerns raised by cases like Ziveyi’s.

“This decisive move aims to promote profound understanding and competency in core learning areas, prevent pupil burnout from excessive academic loads and align all schools and learners with a standardised, manageable curriculum framework.”

The Student’s Sleepless Nights And Family Sacrifice

In an interview with Zimpapers in January 2026, Mukudzei Ziveyi detailed the immense effort behind his grades, motivated by a dream to study Aerospace Engineering at MIT. He described a gruelling schedule facilitated by a special exam timetable.

“There are instances where I would write an examination and get a 15 minutes break before I could start the next one,” he said.

His success required significant family sacrifice. His mother, Loise Maisiri, revealed the financial commitment.

“We sold three cows so that he could register for those 12 subjects he wanted, the other money also came from his father’s salary.”

She admitted to initial scepticism, having encouraged him to take only six subjects. The school also applied for a timetable deviation from the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) to manage the clashing papers, a special arrangement the ministry’s new policy seeks to render unnecessary.

Alignment With Tertiary Requirements And Defence Of Standards

Mr Ndoro further explained that the cap aligns with university expectations both locally and internationally. He also took the opportunity to refute claims of grade inflation within the system.

“The ministry firmly rejects unsubstantiated claims of systemic grade inflation. The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) employs a rigorous, multi-stage quality assurance process, including pre-marking standardization, continuous moderation and post-marking statistical reviews.”

He attributed rising pass rates to improved teaching and learner diligence. The ministry’s new framework, now fully implemented, aims to channel such diligence into a more focused and sustainable path for all students, ensuring the spotlight remains on mastery rather than the number of subjects on a result slip.

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