Zimbabwe eliminated the single-sitting requirement for nursing school admission after officials determined the policy failed to measure academic ability. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora told legislators on Wednesday that the government discovered some students could not afford to register for five subjects simultaneously, rather than a lack of capability. The ministry implemented a quota system in 2024 requiring nurse training institutions to accept at least 50 percent of students from local communities.
Mombeshora acknowledged that demand exceeds capacity at the nation's 73 nursing schools. The government introduced e-learning at 23 institutions to address teaching staff shortages, but WiFi access and equipment remain inadequate. Officials plan to expand training capacity through private institutions and additional hospitals beyond Hwange Hospital. The ministry must balance increased enrollment with employment prospects and aims to double the nursing workforce by 2030.
Mombeshora acknowledged that demand exceeds capacity at the nation's 73 nursing schools. The government introduced e-learning at 23 institutions to address teaching staff shortages, but WiFi access and equipment remain inadequate. Officials plan to expand training capacity through private institutions and additional hospitals beyond Hwange Hospital. The ministry must balance increased enrollment with employment prospects and aims to double the nursing workforce by 2030.
