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Farirai Machivenyika Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT should revamp the operations of the Zimbabwe Schools’ Examinations Council so that it functions in conjunction with local universities as part of measures to improve the body’s credibility. This was said by Matobo North legislator Cde Never Khanye (Zanu-PF) on Thursday while moving a motion calling on government to act on malpractices that affected Zimsec’s operations.

“We need to uphold and promote Zimsec by being affiliated to our universities so that all those who go through the examinations have reputable certificates,” he said.
“There is a need for us to spearhead and make sure that it is given the opportunity to have a seal of any of our universities.”

Cde Khanye said affiliating Zimsec to an institution like the University of Zimbabwe would restore confidence in local examinations.
He said the Curriculum Development Unit in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should continuously review curricula to ensure they meet the demands of the modern world.

Cde Sabina Thembani added that the leakage of exam papers would tarnish the education sector.
Bikita West representative Dr Munyaradzi Kereke said Zimsec required adequate funding from government to operate properly.

“We need to say what is it that enhances the credibility of our examinations because even at universities you have examinations leaking,” he said.
“It is not that leakages are a result of non-affiliation. We need to improve on funding and see to what extent are the budgetary provisions that go towards preparations and administration of examinations adequate.

“The current levels of allocations are not adequate to meet the running costs of the examinations.
“If Zimsec is to be affiliated to a university, we need to see that there is corresponding allocation of resources so that it does not become an academic affiliation.”

Hurungwe West representative Cde Themba Mliswa said government should take advantage of the country’s education system to generate revenue by attracting foreigners to study locally.
He said this could be done by ensuring that Zimsec was run professionally.

Zimsec was established in 1994 through the Zimsec Act following government’s decision to localise examinations. Local exams were formerly administered by the University of Cambridge (Britain).

Zimsec falls under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and is an internationally accredited examinations board.