Parly summons Education Minister over exam leaks

Zim Now Writer

The much publicised examination paper leaks that made headlines last year have now led to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu, being summoned to appear before Parliament.

Parliament wants her to issue a ministerial statement explaining measures being taken to bring back confidence in the country’s public examinations system.

Legislators want her to take action on the Zimbabwe School Examinations Counciland say they are concerned that the Zimsec-run examinations have lost credibility.

This follows the nullification of about 5 000 Ordinary Level examination results for the 2022 session, following allegations of massive paper leaks and widespread cheating.

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya on Tuesday raised the issue in the National Assembly as a matter of national interest.

"I seek that Parliament calls upon the Primary and Secondary Education minister to address the measures Zimsec is going to take to instil confidence and security of Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations because these examinations were marred by excessive leakages resulting in withdrawal of results," Chikwinya said.

"I seek leave of the House that the Primary and Secondary Education minister be called up to give a ministerial statement and Members of Parliament interact with the same minister as they relate the problems coming from various constituencies," he said.

On the other hand, Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) called on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education to do an inquiry into the challenges at Zimsec.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda said if Ndlovu fails to give satisfactory answers in the House, she will then be summoned to appear before the committee.

Teachers’ unions have called on government to take action now so that the leakages and cheating can be arrested thereby restoring people’s confidence in the examinations body.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said heads should roll at Zimsec.

“The minister responsible for education should stamp her authority over the leakages,” he said.

Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Tapedza Zhou said that if government fails to deal with the examination leakages, the country will witness more scandals in the future.