Exam leakages: ARTUZ commissions research paper

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Zim Now Writer

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe has commissioned a research paper produced by renowned researcher Tamuka Chirimambowa of the Institute for Public Affairs in Zimbabwe. Titled “Exam leakages, the scourge within our public examination system: Quo Vadis”, it comes after a recent series of leakages in the 2022 public examinations.

The research identifies six points of leakages within the public examinations value chain and five of the six identify the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council as the ‘Elephant in the Room’ on exams leakages.

The ARTUZ research paper argues that examination malpractices are not a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe or the region, but have become unprecedented as they have attacked the “nerve center” of national public examinations; hence undermining the credibility and purpose of education in society.

The research notes that the nature of examination leakages have shifted from schools to examinations board; thus, pointing to institutional decay and calling for reforms.

In the light of the findings of the research paper and discussions at the policy dialogue, the following recommendations were proffered to address the rot within the public examination system:

* ZIMSEC should consider reviewing its security along the whole examination value chain, from production to storage, distribution, and collection and writing (from ZIMSEC to the school and back).

* ZIMSEC must consider tapping into technology to digitally proof examinations so that a report would be send electronically to ZIMSEC if any paper is opened before time.

* There is need to review the current form of assessment that is largely based on a one-time seating examination and bring in competency-based assessment.

* Sound educational policy should be put in place with deemphasis on the supremacy of certificates over skills and professional competence.

* There is need for an educational commission of enquiry at ZIMSEC with a mandate to look at issues of alleged nepotism, skills requisite of staff ultimately reforming the examinations board.

* The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should consider improving the working conditions and service of teachers to hedge them from vulnerability to examination-related corruption.

Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Evelyn Ndlovu has been ordered to appear before Parliament and 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 ZIMSEC.