News / Education
O-Level exams begins today
29 Oct 2012 at 04:17hrs | Views
Ordinary Level examinations are starting today, with examination papers having been dispatched to all centres countrywide.
The examination papers include the ones that were withdrawn and reset by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) after the acting headmaster of Sijawugwe Secondary School, Mr Panganai Zimunhu (31), allegedly lost them two weeks ago.
The school is located in the Siganda area of Bubi District in Matabeleland North Province.
There was a momentary panic when the incident was first reported, as candidates feared that the O-Level examinations would be postponed. In an interview yesterday, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart confirmed that everything was in place and the timetable for the examinations remains unchanged.
"The ministry is ready for the examinations, as all the examination papers have been sent to the examination centres countrywide," he said.
"I would like to assure the writing candidates, parents and stakeholders that everything is in place and the examinations will be written according to the timetable."
He said his ministry would continue to work closely with Zimsec in making sure that there was transparency during the examinations.
"What happened to the examination papers was a mistake which the ministry regrets, but I am glad that the developments did not affect the examination timetable although it was an expense to the Government.
"We have not had any other problems so far and we will continue to work hand in hand with Zimsec in making sure that there is transparency and due care when transporting examination papers and during the examinations," said Minister Coltart.
Mr Zimunhu was last week taken to Western Commonage magistrates' court but was not placed on remand as the State felt there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
He was told to go home and the State would proceed by way of summons once they have enough facts.
The deputy provincial education director for Matabeleland North, Mr Matthias Luphahla, last week said the ministry had started disciplinary proceedings against Mr Zimunhu.
The papers that went missing were English Language (Paper 1 and 2), Mathematics non-calculator version (Paper 1 and 2), Geography (Paper 1 and 2), Integrated Science (Paper 1, 2 and 3) and Ndebele (Paper 1 and 2).
It cost Zimsec $996 000 to print examination question papers for the 286 343 candidates who registered for the O-Level examinations this year.
To replace the missing question papers for the six subjects, Zimsec forked out about $850 000.
The examination papers include the ones that were withdrawn and reset by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) after the acting headmaster of Sijawugwe Secondary School, Mr Panganai Zimunhu (31), allegedly lost them two weeks ago.
The school is located in the Siganda area of Bubi District in Matabeleland North Province.
There was a momentary panic when the incident was first reported, as candidates feared that the O-Level examinations would be postponed. In an interview yesterday, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart confirmed that everything was in place and the timetable for the examinations remains unchanged.
"The ministry is ready for the examinations, as all the examination papers have been sent to the examination centres countrywide," he said.
"I would like to assure the writing candidates, parents and stakeholders that everything is in place and the examinations will be written according to the timetable."
He said his ministry would continue to work closely with Zimsec in making sure that there was transparency during the examinations.
"We have not had any other problems so far and we will continue to work hand in hand with Zimsec in making sure that there is transparency and due care when transporting examination papers and during the examinations," said Minister Coltart.
Mr Zimunhu was last week taken to Western Commonage magistrates' court but was not placed on remand as the State felt there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
He was told to go home and the State would proceed by way of summons once they have enough facts.
The deputy provincial education director for Matabeleland North, Mr Matthias Luphahla, last week said the ministry had started disciplinary proceedings against Mr Zimunhu.
The papers that went missing were English Language (Paper 1 and 2), Mathematics non-calculator version (Paper 1 and 2), Geography (Paper 1 and 2), Integrated Science (Paper 1, 2 and 3) and Ndebele (Paper 1 and 2).
It cost Zimsec $996 000 to print examination question papers for the 286 343 candidates who registered for the O-Level examinations this year.
To replace the missing question papers for the six subjects, Zimsec forked out about $850 000.
Source - TH
