The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) is facing allegations that it has failed to pay around 8,000 O’ Level and A’ Level examiners, even though the results have already been released.
Payments owed vary by subject, but most markers were due at least US$400, including travel and subsistence allowances.
The examiners spent two weeks marking papers from 7 to 22 December 2025, only to leave without receiving their payments.
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicky Dhlamini confirmed that some examiners have not been paid but said she could only provide details after verifying which subjects were affected. Said Dhlamini:
“I need to verify which subjects the examiners were marking before I can give the answer.”
According to a disgruntled examiner who spoke on condition of anonymity, none of the examiners has been paid.
Payment rates vary by subject, with Business Studies markers earning the most at US$1.80 per script. Said the marker:
“The markers were dotted around the country, for example, Ndebele was marked in Lupane, while Geography was in Mutare, Maths O’ level at the University of Zimbabwe and A’ level Maths in Bindura, Business Studies and Accounts at Masvingo Polytechnic and other subjects were marked at different centres.
“After the T&S, each examiner was supposed to have a take-home, including allowances of US$400 plus.
“Business Studies was followed by Geography and Shona paper 1, whose script rate was $1.20, Biology $1,10, Accounts $1, and the rest of the subjects were $1.10.
“This problem has been perennial, and Grade 7 markers have faced the same difficulty, too. The ZIMSEC guys are no longer picking up our calls now.”
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