Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
GRADE Seven pupils begin their final examinations today, marking the start of the 2026 public examination season, with the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council assuring candidates it is fully prepared.
The Grade Seven examinations start today, while Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations will begin on October 12.
In an interview, Zimsec public relations manager Mrs Nicky Dhlamini said question papers and stationery were already being distributed to cluster centres.
“The season for final examinations is upon us, starting with the Grade Seven examinations on the 21st of September 2026 (today),” she said.
“Zimsec is fully prepared for the start of the examinations. Question papers and stationery are already being distributed to the cluster centres ready for collection by centres.”
Mrs Dhlamini said Zimsec, working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, State security agencies and school heads, has strengthened measures to safeguard the integrity of the examinations.
“From printing to distribution and eventually the sitting of examinations, everything is closely monitored by security and loss-control teams,” she said.
She said technological advancements in the printing and packaging of examination materials have further enhanced security.
A cocktail of security features has been incorporated into examination materials, allowing Zimsec to identify the examination centre to which particular question papers were destined.
Mrs Dhlamini said personalised answer sheets will also help prevent malpractices involving scripts being smuggled into examination rooms.
She said security teams could swiftly trace question papers to their centre of origin in the event of premature access, allowing investigations to target perpetrators without prejudicing innocent candidates.
A total of 800 003 candidates are expected to sit the 2026 examinations, comprising 413 792 Grade Seven candidates, 345 368 O’Level candidates and 40 843 A-Level candidates.
The examinations will be written at 5 646 Grade Seven centres, 2 616 O-Level centres and 925 A-Level centres.
Mrs Dhlamini urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected examination malpractice or maladministration.
“As the people of the nation of Zimbabwe, it is in our best interest to maintain the integrity and credibility of the examinations,” she said.
“We urge you to report through our Axcentium tip-offs anonymous platform or to your nearest Zimsec office.”
