Zimbabwean Grade 12 pupils who left South Africa following the June 30 immigration deadline are being brought back into the country this week to prepare for and sit their final matric examinations.
The move comes as the October National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations approach, giving affected pupils limited time to return, settle in and continue preparing for their final school examinations.
Pupils Urged to Seek Assistance
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Coordinating Committee (ZEPCC) Academy has called on affected Grade 12 pupils and their parents to make contact ahead of the examinations.
The organisation says assistance is available to pupils who are currently outside South Africa, as well as those who remained in the country but were unable to register, were deregistered or failed to meet examination requirements.
In a notice to parents, the committee said affected pupils would be taken to a boarding facility in South Africa where they would be able to prepare for and write their 2026 examinations.
“They should contact ZEPCC Academy to be taken to a boarding facility to prepare and write their 2026 exams,” the notice said.
The committee added that the pupils would return to South Africa before the end of the week.
Pupils Expected to Stay in Johannesburg
The affected pupils are reportedly expected to be accommodated at a boarding facility in Johannesburg while completing their examination preparations.
However, questions remain over how many pupils will be accommodated and who will cover the costs of accommodation, meals, transport and other necessities during their stay.
The intervention follows concerns raised earlier this year over Zimbabwean children whose education was disrupted after their families left South Africa amid uncertainty surrounding their immigration status.
Grade 12 Pupils Particularly Affected
The ZEPCC Academy has previously highlighted the challenges facing Grade 12 pupils, many of whom have spent most of their schooling following South Africa’s Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).
For these pupils, returning to Zimbabwe could make it difficult to complete their final year under a different education system, particularly with the matric examinations only weeks away.
The latest initiative is therefore intended to give affected candidates an opportunity to return to South Africa, complete their preparations and sit for the 2026 matric examinations.
Thousands of Children Returned to Zimbabwe
At least 35,000 children reportedly returned to Zimbabwe with their parents between May and September. However, it remains unclear how many of those children were Grade 12 pupils affected by the matric examination requirements.
With the examinations fast approaching, the return arrangement offers affected candidates a last-minute opportunity to re-enter the South African education system and complete one of the most important stages of their schooling.
