Online Reporter
Chronicle Writer
THE Government has approved the Zimbabwe School Examinations Amendment Bill, 2024, which aims to strengthen security measures around examinations and address widespread malpractices within the education system.
The Bill proposes amendments to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Act to tackle challenges such as exam paper leakages, irregularities in registration and fraudulent conduct, at various examination centres across the country.
Over the years, Zimbabwe’s public examinations have been marred by cases of cheating, with individuals being caught sitting exams on behalf of candidates and others arrested for leaking papers. Invigilators and school officials have also been implicated in past incidents.
In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere explained that the move is designed to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
“Under the legislative programme, Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe School Examinations Amendment Bill. The decision to amend the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act (Chapter 25:18) is intended to address challenges in the education sector, particularly exam leakages, registration anomalies and fraudulent practices at certain examination centres nationwide,” he said.
The proposed changes will include an increase in penalties for exam-related offences, making them a stronger deterrent. The Bill also aims to eliminate systemic weaknesses that have contributed to paper leakages at examination centres, a long-standing issue that has recently undermined the credibility of the country’s examination system.
Education stakeholders have long called for reforms within Zimsec, particularly following a series of reported leakages during Ordinary and Advanced Level exams, with several papers circulating on social media platforms before candidates sat for them.
Dr Muswere stated that the new law is expected to bolster Zimsec, equipping it with stronger tools to enforce compliance and increase transparency in the administration of exams.
“The Zimbabwe School Examinations Amendment Bill, 2024, therefore has, inter alia, the following objectives: Streamlining board functions to allow for the de-registration of non-compliant examination centres,” he said.
If passed into law, the Bill will also empower Zimsec to de-register non-compliant examination centres, many of which have been flagged for unethical conduct or failure to meet minimum operating standards.
“It will strengthen the operational efficiency of the board and introduce a review of penalties for examination malpractices. More critically, the Bill will eliminate leakages across all examination centres,” said Dr Muswere.
The reforms are part of the Government’s broader efforts to restore confidence in the country’s education system and protect the credibility of its qualifications both locally and internationally.
Meanwhile, Dr Muswere also announced that the Cabinet had approved the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Zimbabwe and Algeria regarding co-operation in technical and vocational education and training.
“The memorandum of understanding seeks to promote co-operation in technical and vocational education, skills development through student and staff exchange programmes, as well as research and technology transfer, among other activities,” he said.
Additionally, the Government approved an MoU between Zimbabwe and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to establish a solar technology application resource centre (STAR-C) in the country.
“The objective of the MoU is to establish the solar technology application resource centre at Chinhoyi University. The university’s Innovation Hub will provide expertise to Zimbabwe and serve as a one-stop centre for capacity building, testing, standardisationand incubation,” said Dr Muswere.
“The Star Centre will lead education and awareness programmes and promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies, contributing to the country’s transition from fossil fuels to sustainable and clean energy.”
Dr Muswere also announced that Cabinet had considered and approved the MoU between Zimbabwe, through the Presidential and National Scholarships Department, and the Gran Mariscal De Ayacucho Foundation of Venezuela concerning scholarship provision.
“The co-operation framework aims for Fundayacucho to provide 50 scholarships to Zimbabwean students. Forty of these scholarships will be in the field of medicine, while ten will be for various university courses, all taught in Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” he said.
