Find a school place for your child in Zimbabwe

What you'll usually need

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Go to the government school nearest your home and ask the head to enrol your child. Ask early, and ask what papers they need.
If the school is full, the head must give you a written certificate saying so. Take it to the next nearest school. If your child can't possibly get there, the head must enrol your child instead of giving you a certificate (Education Act, section 10).
For a Form 1 boarding place, apply online through the Ministry's eMAP platform. You can apply to up to five schools at a time, and they are not ranked. If a school offers your child a place, you get an SMS and can accept or turn it down. Accepting one place cancels your other applications. Applications for 2027 opened on 26 October 2026.
Schools choose Form 1 pupils by Grade 7 results. Entrance tests are banned, so you shouldn't be asked to pay for one.
If a school turns your child away unfairly, report it to the Ministry's district education office. The Ministry has also set up response centres where parents can report schools that turn pupils away.
If your child doesn't have a birth certificate yet, start getting one now (see the birth certificate guide). Your child will need it later to sit national exams.

Under the Education Act, a school must not exclude a pupil for not paying fees, or because of pregnancy (section 68C). In April 2026 the Education Minister told Parliament that the Ministry's circulars say no child must be turned away from school, whether or not fees are paid.
The Act provides for basic state-funded education, brought in step by step. In practice, most schools still charge fees. If you can't pay, ask about help such as BEAM.
If the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's main websites don't load, ask your school or district office about the current rules.