The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) has rolled out improved security protocols to prevent the leakage of public examination papers ahead of the upcoming Ordinary and Advanced Level exams.
This initiative responds to past incidents of examination paper breaches, particularly at exam centers and during transportation. In light of this, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) is set to implement a series of measures designed to safeguard the integrity of this year’s exams, scheduled to begin this month.
A significant strategy includes delivering examination papers to schools just minutes before the exams start, limiting their exposure at potentially insecure locations and thereby reducing the risk of leaks. Furthermore, ZIMSEC plans to establish secure cluster centers—schools equipped with enhanced security measures—to safely store exam papers, which will then be distributed to nearby schools on exam day.
To bolster these efforts, ZIMSEC will assign monitors to every examination center to ensure compliance with established standards. This real-time oversight aims to enhance the credibility of the exams and reassure educators, students, and parents about their fairness. Funding for this comprehensive security operation will come from examination fees, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to protect the examination process.
These measures are designed to instill confidence nationwide by providing a transparent and secure examination environment. They represent a critical opportunity for students to trust the authorities responsible for their education, especially as this year’s exams will conclude the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) system.
Starting next year, students will transition to a heritage-based curriculum that emphasizes various educational pathways, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as vocational training. This shift aligns with the government’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.
As Zimbabwe advances with these reforms, there is hope that the enhanced security measures will lead to a more dependable and secure examination process. This is essential for maintaining the country’s reputation for high-quality education and ensuring that students can perform without the looming threat of exam malpractice. The integrity of ZIMSEC and the examination process is vital for upholding Zimbabwe’s educational standards.
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