Prominance S.K Khumalo
Bulawayo – A peculiar claim circulating online about Zimbabwe’s 1970s education system – that children underwent an entrance test for Primary grade One involving placing their right hand across their head to touch their left ear – has been corroborated by several elderly Zimbabweans who attended school during that racially segregated era.
Their testimonies paint a picture of a simple, yet significant, gateway to education in a system marked by profound inequality.
Under the colonial government prior to 1980, Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, operated a deeply segregated education system. Schools for the African majority were severely underfunded compared to their European counterparts.
Historical records indicate that in the 1970s, only 43.5% of African children attended school, with a mere 3.9% progressing to secondary education. Against this backdrop, the Primary grade One entrance test, however informal, held considerable weight for families desperate to secure a place for their children.
James Mukwada, now in his late sixties, vividly recalls his experience:
“Back then, there were no nursery schools or kindergartens. When it was time to start school, the teacher would ask us to place our right hand across our head and touch our left ear. If we could do it, we could go to school. It was a simple yet humorous test,” Mukwada recounted.
“I still remember how excited I was when I passed the test and my mother bought me a slate and chalk. Those were precious treasures to me at the time.”
He believes the test assessed basic motor skills, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions.
Margaret Chimuka, who began her teaching career in the early 1970s, confirmed the test’s existence.
“At that time, resources were scarce, and schools lacked proper testing equipment and methods. This simple test was a way to preliminarily evaluate children’s abilities,” Chimuka explained.
“It wasn’t a formal entrance exam but rather a playful activity to help teachers get to know their new students. In fact, some schools even used similar methods to test children’s memory and language skills, such as asking them to recite nursery rhymes or recognize letters.”
She noted that while not rigorous, children who passed generally adapted better to school life.
Sarah Nyamupenda, a mother of three, highlighted the competitive pressure for limited spots:
“In the 1970s, getting a child into school was no easy task. The test of placing one’s hand across the head and touching the ear was just one of many screening methods used by schools. I remember taking my eldest child to several schools for this test. Some schools required the child to complete the task within a certain time, while others observed the child’s expression and demeanor. It was a time-consuming process, but we parents were willing to try anything.”
The year 1979 saw reforms under the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia government, introducing a three-tiered school system regulated by the 1979 Education Act, which used residency-based zoning.
However, stark disparities in resources between formerly European and African schools persisted even after these changes. The simple hand-touching test remained one of the many hurdles African children faced.
Today, Zimbabwe’s education system has evolved significantly. The government promotes greater equity, Form One entrance exams have been abolished, and Grade Seven results now primarily determine secondary school placement. Yet, the memories of the 1970s Primary grade One test endure.
“The test of placing your right hand across your head and touching your left ear may seem amusing today, but it was a real part of our lives back then,” reflected James Mukwada with nostalgia.
“It was a simple test, but it opened the door to education for us. For us, passing that test meant a chance to learn and grow, to build a better future for ourselves and our families.”
This unique ritual stands as a testament to the challenges and aspirations of Zimbabwean children seeking education during a period of profound inequality, a memory forever etched in the hearts of those who experienced it.
Zim GBC News2025