Zimsec June exam entries hit record high

Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) has registered a record more than 100 000 entries for the June Ordinary Level examinations.At least 104 315 candidates have registered for next month’s O-level examinations, up from last year’s figure of 97 788 candidates.

The figure surpasses regional trends.

Last year the Botswana Examination Council recorded 34 069 entries, Lesotho 13 398, Malawi 12 738, Swaziland 55 572 while Zambia recorded 106 956 as their annual entries.

In a statement, Zimsec director Mr Esau Nhandara said the increase in the number of entries was an affirmation of the growing confidence that the nation and stakeholders now had on the examination body.

“For the first time since the establishment of the council, the Zimsec O-level entries for June reached a record of 104 315 candidates in 2014. Before this milestone, the highest June entries at O-level were experienced in 2002 and 2003 when the entries were 80 514 and 80 005 respectively.

“The landmark candidature over the 100 000 mark is both a reflection and affirmation of the momentum that Zimsec is gaining in its quest to become a centre of excellence within the sub-region SADC and beyond in quality assessment,” Mr Nhandara said.

The Zimsec director added that the increase in the number of candidates had not been in the June examination alone as the November examination entries had also steadily increased since 2009.

In 2009, 137 372 candidates registered for the November O-level examination session, but the number has risen over the years, and last year 309 113 entries were recorded for the same examination session.

Grade Seven and A-level entries had also witnessed a significant increase since 2009.

A meagre 800 A-level entries were recorded for the June examination session in 2009 but last year the figure shot to 4 912, while for the November examination session entries rose from 25 066 in 2009 to 40 550 in 2013.

Grade Seven entries have also increased from 282 753 candidates in 2009 to 318 447 candidates last year.

Mr Nhandara attributed the increase to a number of factors but highlighted the affordable examination fees charged by the council and the international recognition that the examination body attained over the years as some of the major drivers.

“It is not easy to point at any one reason as the source of the increase. It is likely a combination of reasons, among them affordable examination fees and the recognition that Zimsec O and A certificates enjoy.

“Zimsec certificate holders have no problems entering institutions of higher learning in Southern Africa or even abroad. Our syllabi, marking schemes and assessment methodologies have been evaluated by the London-based National Academic Recognition Information,” he said.

Some of the factors Mr Nhandara also highlighted as contributing to the increase in the number of entries include, competition on the job market and the availability of two examination sessions per year, which allows candidates to enhance their chances of attaining the required number of subjects by registering for both sessions.

Meanwhile, some prospective candidates could have failed to register for this year’s June O-level examination sessions after some schools in rural areas reportedly closed for entries four days before the Zimsec deadline.

Zimsec set Friday 23 May as the registration deadline but some schools had already closed for entries as early as 19 May.

An official from the national examination body, who declined to be named for professional reasons, said there was nothing illegal with schools closing for entries earlier than the official deadline.

“Some schools might opt to close two or so days before our deadline, to allow them to be able to process the information and send it to us on time. The deadline is today (Friday) but some schools especially those in remote areas closed earlier. That is very legal,” he said.

The record June O-level examination entries come against the backdrop of a pass rate of 20,72 percent recorded in last year’s November examinations.