Harare, (New Ziana) -The examination system in the country is secure and no papers have leaked during the assessment season which is currently underway, a senior government official has said.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Angeline Gata said this in the Senate while responding to a question from Senator for Murewa constituency, Bertha Chinyanga, who wanted to know what measures the Ministry was taking following reports on social media suggesting that examination papers had leaked.

She said the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) had since issued a statement dismissing the allegations and maintained that the examination system remains secure.

“For quite a long time now, we have not had leakages. I will stand by my word that we did not have any leakages. Yes, it might be on social media but it is not credible. ZIMSEC has made a statement, particularly pertaining to that social media circulation,” she said.

Gata outlined several measures the Ministry has implemented to protect the integrity of examination papers, including tightening distribution and delivery procedures, enhanced security in strong rooms at examination centres, and real-time monitoring by ZIMSEC officials.

The examination papers also carry traceable watermarks that allow authorities to track their movement from printing to the examination room, she said, adding that proposed amendments to the ZIMSEC Act would introduce tougher penalties, including jail terms, for anyone found leaking examination papers.

She said the rumours were misleading and did not reflect the stringent systems already in place, further inviting Senators to tour the ZIMSEC premises to see how examination materials are generated and secured.

Gata noted that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education had already visited ZIMSEC and expressed satisfaction with the security measures that are in place.

New Ziana