Can new ZIMSEC board succeed in the credibility restoration challenge?

Rutendo Mazhindu

Zim Now Reporter

 Education Minister Torerai Moyo’s newly appointed ZIMSEC board has the tough mandate to restore credibility to the examinations council after paper leaks have become the norm in November exams.

Addressing the new board members Moyo stressed their role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and relevance of the examination processes.

Leakages have been tracked to different sources including schools and within ZIMSEC itself pointing to serious system security deficiencies that the board has to address urgently.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/706/call-for-zimsec-overhaul-as-exam-paper-leaks-get-of-hand

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/10536/zimsec-celebrations-over-june-exams-non-leakages-too-soon

The loss of credibility has resulted in a sharp division between the priviledged and the disadvantaged as private institutions offer Cambridge certification and other expensive options that have unquestionable international acceptance.

Moyo appointed UZ Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo to chair the new 16 member Board which retains 10 old members. He will be deputized by Doreen Moyo.

The other board members are Lazarus Nembaware, Rodgers Sisimayi, Bhekinkosi Nkomo, Patronella Nkomazana, Eventhough Ndlovhu, Kind Kapfudza, Sindile Mlanga, Shami Moyo, Emmah Mungoni, Alice Nyamugama, Cyprian Masocha, Suzanne Joscelyne, Richard Gundane and Wadzanani Chirongoma.

In addition to restoring Zimsec’s respectability, the board also appoints panels of examiners, approves and registers examination centres, reviews the rules and regulations relating to examinations, confirms or approve the conferment of the certificates.

Zimsec started operating as an entity in 1996.It started localisation of Ordinary Level examinations in 1984 with marking of scripts while Alevel localisation started in 2000