Cabinet approves Zimsec Amendment Bill

Rejoyce Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter

CABINET has approved the Principles of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) (Amendment) Bill which will deregister centres that do not comply with the Council’s standards of appropriate examination centres.

The bill was presented to Cabinet on Tuesday by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu.

Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said the Zimsec Act (Chapter 25:18) was enacted in 1994 and since then numerous developments have occurred in the education sector.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu.

She said the Bill, therefore, seeks to align the Act with the various developments that have taken place since its enactment.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Bill would be amended to give power to deregister examination centres that do not comply with Zimsec standards of appropriate examination centres.

The Bill will also strengthen the independence and efficiency of the Zimsec Board by equipping it with the necessary skilled persons that can adequately meet Zimsec’s mandate,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said in the new Bill, the Board will be given powers to withhold examination results pending investigations by Zimsec in cases of examination malpractice such as leakages.

Minister Mutsvangwa said persons who handle examination material and all those who work closely with Zimsec will take an oath of secrecy.

Furthermore, a section will be introduced to deal with issues pertaining to conflict of interest among Zimsec employees and those that gain access to examination materials.

Section 35 will be amended to provide additional offenses and to further enumerate acts of examination malpractice and their penalties.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said the Zimsec Act (Chapter 25:18) was enacted in 1994 and since then numerous developments have occurred in the education sector.

“The nation is being informed that it is envisaged the proposals will ensure that the quality of examination services will continue to match world standards,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Bill will also arrest the vice of examination leakages by introducing stiffer penalties in order to deal effectively with offenders.–@ReeSibanda