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Standrick Chagadama
THERE were no cases of examination paper leakages during mid-year public exam sittings, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has confirmed.
Over 32 000 candidates sat the exams, which began on May 27 and ended on June 21.
The development marked a significant improvement in the management of public exams from previous years, when there were several cases of paper leakages.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Zimsec public relations manager Mrs Nicky Dhlamini-Moyo said a combination of tight security around the distribution and storage of the papers, coupled with the introduction of stiff penalties on offenders, had deterred the malpractices.
“The June examinations ran well, with the help of our parent ministry, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, school administrations, the national law-enforcement agencies and all stakeholders,” she said.
“We did not encounter any incidents where candidates had pre-access to examination question papers in the June 2024 examination session.
“For the June 2024 examinations, 144 candidates registered for the Advanced Level tests, while 32 049 candidates sat the Ordinary Level tests.”
Last year, papers were delivered to exam centres under heavy security escort on the day candidates sat the tests as part of measures to prevent leakages.
Zimsec also pushed for the promulgation of regulations imposing stiff penalties for malpractices.
Leaking exam papers now attracts nine years in prison. ecurity teams were also deployed countrywide to monitor the conduct of exams in schools. Added Mrs Dhlamini-Moyo: “The integrity of examinations is of vested interest to all Zimbabweans. Zimsec has put in place various measures, which include the daily delivery of question papers to cluster centres.
“We are grateful to all stakeholders and the nation as a whole for the support in keeping the examinations secure.”
Online Reporter