Explaining ZIMSEC, HEXCO and ZIMCHE functions in Zimbabwe education system

Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)

The functions of the Council shall be to;
a) organize and conduct such examinations in subjects that form part of a course of
primary or secondary education as the Minister may in writing direct;
b) consider and approve subjects suitable for examinations;
c) appoint panels or boards of examiners;
d) approve and register examination Centres;
e) review rules and regulations relating to examinations;
f) confer or approve the conferment of certificates, diplomas and other awards to persons
who have passed examinations;
g) enter into arrangements, whether reciprocal or otherwise, with persons or organizations
inside or outside Zimbabwe for the recognition of certificates, diplomas and other awards granted in respect of examinations organized or conducted by the Council;
h) do all things necessary to maintain the integrity of the system of examinations in respect
of primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe;
i) register basic education qualifications on the ZNQF; and.
j) do any other thing that the Council may be required to do by or under the ZIMSEC Act or any
other enactment.

Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO)

The functions of the Council shall be to:
a) develop TVET curricula;
b) administer national TVET examinations;
c) certificate TVET candidates;
d) register public and private TVET institutions;
e) assess local and foreign TVET qualifications;
f) administer apprenticeship training programs;
g) consider and approve subjects suitable for examinations;
h) appoint panels or boards of curriculum developers and examiners, for TVET;
i) approve and register examination Centres;
j) design and recommend an institutional quality assurance system for TVET, that is, a system
whereby the courses, programmes and diplomas offered by institutions are evaluated on a
regular and objective basis, and to recommend to the Minister institutional quality
assurance standards for the establishment, standardization and accreditation of TVET
institutions including standards of the physical plant and equipment;
k) register TVET qualifications on the ZNQF; and
l) do any other duty that the Council may be required to do by or under the HEXCO
Statutory Instrument or any other enactment.

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education

ZIMCHE shall carry out the following functions that shall be:
a) to advise the Minister on all higher education matters;
b) to develop and recommend policy on higher education including the establishment of
public institutions and advise the Minister accordingly;
c) to accredit institutions of higher education;
d) to design and recommend an institutional quality assurance system for higher
e) education, that is, a system whereby the courses, programmes and degrees offered by
institutions are evaluated on a regular and objective basis, and to recommend to the
Minister institutional quality assurance standards for;
the establishment, standardization and accreditation of institutions of higher education
including standards of the physical plant and equipment;
the preparation and amendment of university charters and statutes;
the development of curricula;
the standards of libraries;
the safety standards of laboratories and workshops; and
student transfer between programmes and institutions of higher education;
f) to advise on the shape and size of the higher education system;
g) to advise on the budgeting and funding arrangements for higher education for public
institutions;
h) to assist institutions of higher education in the training of high-calibre staff;
I) to promote equity in access to higher education through the provision of student
assistance programmes;
j) to promote international cooperation and facilitate exchanges in higher education; and
k) register degree qualifications on the ZNQF.