Zimbabwe seventh graders started writing examinations on Monday, but the exercise was marred by widespread teacher absenteeism as members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe remained on strike for a third week.
Some pupils also failed to show up for exams as they assumed these were canceled due to the strike. In some schools, solders were drafted to monitor the exams.
The PTUZ last week wrote to the government urging it to postpone exams by one month to give students time to prepare.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association President Tendai Chikowore said all members of the union had returned to work and that the situation in their schools was normal.
Progressive Teachers Union President Takavafira Zhou told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the union is sorry students must take exams for which they are not fully prepared, but that teachers are obliged fight for their economic survival.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...