Online Reporter
The smooth start to the 2026 Grade Seven examinations yesterday is encouraging as the country enters its main public examination season for this year.
Candidates began with an indigenous languages paper in the first fully fledged examinations under the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, pupils, teachers and invigilators were punctual, examination rooms were quiet, and candidates had adequate spacing.
“Everything was smooth,” we cite ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro as saying elsewhere today.
That is precisely the start learners, parents and teachers needed after months of preparation. We hope every Grade Seven candidate entered the examination room ready, confident and equipped to demonstrate what he or she learnt over the past seven years.
The examinations continue until October 6, before Ordinary and Advanced level candidates begin writing on October 12. The senior learners now have a final opportunity to consolidate their work, address weak areas and prepare psychologically for demanding papers that will help determine their academic and professional paths.
Schools and families must use the remaining time constructively. Learners need disciplined revision, adequate rest and encouragement rather than unnecessary pressure. Teachers should continue offering targeted support, while parents must provide stable environments in which candidates can study.
Prepared candidates, however, are only one part of a successful examination season. Authorities must ensure every paper reaches every centre securely and on time, with sufficient question papers, answer sheets and other materials. Power, transport or communication problems must not be allowed to disrupt examinations or disadvantage candidates in remote schools.
Mr Ndoro says the country has recorded no pre-access to national examination papers since 2022. He described the security system as “foolproof” and said leakages had become a thing of the past.
We welcome that record, but it must inspire vigilance rather than complacency. Examination leakages damage the credibility of results, punish honest candidates and erode public confidence in the education system. Secure printing, storage, distribution and collection procedures must therefore be enforced consistently at every centre.
The proposed Zimsec Amendment Bill, which is expected to introduce stronger deterrent penalties, may reinforce examination security. Legislation alone, however, cannot replace alert invigilators, upright and accountable officials, reliable custody systems and prompt investigation of suspicious conduct.
The ministry is targeting a Grade Seven pass rate of between 70 percent and 80 percent, compared with about 50 percent last year. We are confident that the target would be attained as a reflection of better teaching, serious preparation and fair assessment, not weakened standards.
This year’s examinations also mark a significant transition from continuous assessment learning activities to school-based projects under the Heritage-Based Curriculum. The authorities must monitor implementation carefully and ensure schools with fewer resources are not unfairly disadvantaged.
The first paper has been written successfully. The task now is to sustain that standard through the final Grade Seven paper and throughout the Ordinary and Advanced level examinations. Every candidate deserves a secure, properly supplied and professionally administered examination environment, regardless of where they live or the school they attend across the country.
