Zim Now Writer
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act is set to be amended to align the law with the various developments that have taken place since its enactment in 1994.
This comes as the national examinations body has attracted attention in the past but for the wrong reasons following reports of massive examination paper leaks.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa made the announcement during the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday.
She said that Cabinet considered and approved the Principles of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Amendment) Bill as presented by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Evelyn Ndlovu.
Said Mutsvangwa: “The nation is being informed that the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act [Chapter 25:18] was enacted in 1994.
“Since then, numerous developments have occurred in the education sector as well as anomalies that have come to the attention of the Zimsec and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which require amendment of the Act.
“The Bill, therefore, seeks to align the Act with the various developments that have taken place since its enactment.”
The amended law will give the Zimsec Board power to deregister examination centres that do not comply with the examinations body’s standards of appropriate examination centres.
Related Stories
“The Bill will also strengthen the independence and efficiency of the Zimsec Board by equipping it with the necessary skilled persons that can adequately meet Zimsec’s mandate.
“In the new Bill, the Board will be given powers to withhold examination results pending investigations by Zimsec in cases of examination malpractice such as leakages,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The minister also said persons who handle examinations material and all those who work closely with Zimsec will take an oath of secrecy.
She added that the amended law will have a section that deals with conflict of interest among Zimsec employees and those who gain access to examinations materials.
Minister Mutsvangwa said: “Section 35 will be amended to provide additional offences and to further enumerate acts of examination malpractice and their penalties.
“The nation is being informed that it is envisaged the proposals will ensure that the quality of examination services will continue to match world standards.
“The Bill will also arrest the vice of examination leakages by introducing stiffer penalties in order to deal effectively with offenders.”
Last year, 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates’ results were nullified for having pre-access to examination papers.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education announced in February this year that government intends to appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry to assess whether Zimsec is doing the right thing in the wake of examination paper leakages.
Leave Comments