THE Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Ordinary Level Mathematics Paper One which was written on Tuesday morning leaked with the examinations body saying a full-scale investigation is already underway.
In a statement, Zimsec said it had engaged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to trace the source of the leakage while some candidates that had prior access to the paper had been identified.
“The extent of the leakage is yet to be ascertained, after which relevant authorities will make an informed decision on the administration of this paper,” Zimsec said.
The council urged stakeholders to guard jealously the integrity of examinations in the country.
Police have been put on alert to stamp out any unauthorised handling of examination papers while candidates were warned to refrain from buying or distributing leaked papers to avoid cancellation of results.
Some of the culprits have since been identified and are assisting police.
“The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council would like to alert all its valued stakeholders that reports have been received that there are candidates who had pre-access to the Ordinary Level Mathematics Paper 1 (4004/1), which was written on Tuesday morning,” said Zimsec.
“Zimsec, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police are investigating the leakage and have already identified some candidates who had pre-access to the question paper and are currently tracking down the source/s where the papers originated.”
Zimsec said the extent of the leakage is yet to be ascertained.
“We urge the stakeholders of examinations in Zimbabwe to guard jealously the integrity of our examinations. Police forensic laboratory is on high alert to reveal anyone who is sending or receiving the question papers therefore candidates are warned to refrain from participating in this malpractice so as to avoid cancellation of results due to collusion,” reads the statement.
Last month Government, through Zimsec announced a raft of penalties to be imposed on all those involved in malpractice such as cancellation of examination results and two years suspension from taking Zimsec examinations for candidates who cheat.
Last year, two Churchill High pupils appeared in court after a Form Six pupil allegedly impersonated a Form Four pupil and wrote an Ordinary Level Shona paper 1 examination.
There are over half a million candidates writing their final examinations this year, and these comprise 37 518 Advanced Level candidates, 358 290 Grade Seven candidates who have since finished sitting for their exams and 291 591 Ordinary Level candidates.
Last year, 325 573 candidates registered for Grade Seven with 249 914 being enrolled for Ordinary Level examinations. – The Chronicle
