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Level examination papers to replace the ones that went missing recently.
Government is yet to take disciplinary action against the acting headmaster of Sijawugwe Secondary School in Bubi, Matabeleland North province, Mr Panganai Zimunhu (31) who lost the papers.
He allegedly lost the examination papers on his way to the school after collecting the papers from Bulawayo.
In an interview yesterday, Zimsec chairman Professor Norman Maphosa confirmed that the 13 papers had been dispatched to the provinces ahead of the examinations, which start on Monday.
“The examination papers for the six subjects that were withdrawn by Zimsec last week have been distributed to the provinces and we have not had any problems so far,” said Prof Maphosa.
“We are still using the same system and I hope that the Education Ministry will make sure that the examination papers are distributed safely to the schools. The examinations will proceed on Monday as scheduled.”
Commenting on the fate of Mr Zimunhu yesterday, the Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said they would only consider disciplinary action against him on completion of police investigations.
Mr Zimunhu was last week taken to Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court, but was not placed on remand as the State felt it had inadequate facts.
He was told to go home and that the State would proceed by way of summons once they had enough facts.
“Investigations over the matter are still going on and once he has answered to all the necessary inquiries, we will decide what to do with him,” said Mrs Mnguni.
“Disciplinary measures will obviously be taken on him because he was supposed to take due care until the examination papers arrived at the school, of which he did not do. We really do not care what happened to the examination papers, but the fact is that he did not take care of them as he was expected to do.”
She said Mr Zimunhu was back at school and was conducting his duties as usual.
“The headmaster has since gone back to school after we counselled him and I am happy that he managed to pick himself up and conduct his duties as expected.
“I phoned him and he confirmed that he is working well with no hassles. His colleagues and the community are sympathising with him and supporting him in his work,” said Mrs Mnguni.
She said the lost examination papers were still to be found.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said the investigations were still going on.
He appealed to members of the public who have information that might lead to the recovery of the examination papers to report to their nearest police station.
“Police have not recovered the examination papers. I would like to appeal to members of the public, who might have information that might lead to the recovery of the examination papers to report to their nearest police station,” said Insp Moyo.
The papers that went missing, prompting Zimsec to withdraw the examinations are English Language (Paper 1 and 2), Mathematics non calculator version (Paper 1 and 2), Geography (Paper 1 and 2), Integrated Science (Paper 1, 2 and 3) and Ndebele (Paper 1 and 2).
It cost Zimsec $996 000 to print examination question papers for the 286 343 candidates who registered for the O level examinations this year.
To replace the missing question papers for the six subjects, Zimsec needed about $850 000.
Online Reporter