[ [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html#People CIA World Factbook] ] which is amongst the highest in Africa. However, since 1995 the adult literacy rate of Zimbabwe has steadily decreased which is a trend shared by other African countries.]The majority of the wealthier portion of the population send their children to independent schools as opposed to the government-run schools which are attended by the poorer members of the black population as these have lower fee scales. School education was made free in 1980, but since 1988, the government has steadily increased the charges attached to school enrollment until they now greatly exceed the real value of fees in 1980. The Ministry of Education of Zimbabwe, Spot and Culture maintains and operates the government schools but the fees charged by independent schools are regulated by the Cabinet of Zimbabwe.
School grades
Zimbabwe's education system consists of 7 years of primary and 6 years of secondary schooling before students can enter university in country or abroad. The academic year in Zimbabwe runs from January to December, with three month terms, broken up by one month holidays, with a total of 40 weeks of school per year. National examinations are written during the third term in November, with "O" level and "A" level subjects also offered in June
Extracurricular activities
A major characteristic of Zimbabwean schools is the high priority given to sports, clubs and activities by the community, the parents, the schools and the students themselves. Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the school. These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the normal school day; home-schooled students, however, are not normally allowed to participate. Student participation in sports programs, drill teams, bands, and spirit groups can amount to hours of practices and performances
Normal Ages
Basically for a child to go to the first year of primary school known as Grade 1 they are supposed to be 6 years old (turning six before August) therefore meaning that children born after that month are held back until they turn 6 (meaning they wait another year). So it is quite normal for a classroom to have average aged children and then have a few children born a year earlier.So in order to go to the first year of High school (Form 1) you are supposed to be 13 years old.
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