News / Education
Zimsec finally releases 2009 O'level certificates
26 Nov 2011 at 17:03hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has finally released Ordinary Level examination certificates it has been holding onto since 2009.
The council said former students could now check with their respective centres and collect the academic documents.
Zimsec has for the past two years failed to avail the certificates and in the process prejudiced thousands of school-leavers of opportunities in securing employment or other career objectives.
Zimsec spokesperson Mr Ngoni Pasipamire said the delay in releasing the certificates was due to the adoption of additional security features.
"I would like to advise all 2009 and 2010 Ordinary Level students that certificates have now been printed and we have sent them to all centres throughout the country," said Mr Pasipamire.
He said the delay was a result of alterations on the certificate's security features.
"We had to improve the look of the certificates and some security features so that they will not be prone to counterfeiting," said Pasipamire.
"We apologise for the delay but it was for the best interest of the students."
Some school headmasters in Harare said students had been inquiring everyday about their certificates.
"Zimsec should improve its efficiency or at least inform the public on what will be taking place. Most parents and students are now losing faith in them," said one Harare headmaster who refused to be named.
The headmaster, however, said he was in receipt of the certificates, but bemoaned the delay saying many former students had been shortchanged.
"2009 students are the most disadvantaged, they will now compete for college places and jobs with 2010 students which is really unfair," said the headmaster.
Zimsec has for the past years been faced by as host of challenges.
It has become a tradition that the council endures problems with its examination makers after offering allowances deemed to be a pittance.
Zimsec has also come under fire for failing to put in place adequate security measures during examinations resulting in the leaking of question papers.
The council said former students could now check with their respective centres and collect the academic documents.
Zimsec has for the past two years failed to avail the certificates and in the process prejudiced thousands of school-leavers of opportunities in securing employment or other career objectives.
Zimsec spokesperson Mr Ngoni Pasipamire said the delay in releasing the certificates was due to the adoption of additional security features.
"I would like to advise all 2009 and 2010 Ordinary Level students that certificates have now been printed and we have sent them to all centres throughout the country," said Mr Pasipamire.
He said the delay was a result of alterations on the certificate's security features.
"We had to improve the look of the certificates and some security features so that they will not be prone to counterfeiting," said Pasipamire.
Some school headmasters in Harare said students had been inquiring everyday about their certificates.
"Zimsec should improve its efficiency or at least inform the public on what will be taking place. Most parents and students are now losing faith in them," said one Harare headmaster who refused to be named.
The headmaster, however, said he was in receipt of the certificates, but bemoaned the delay saying many former students had been shortchanged.
"2009 students are the most disadvantaged, they will now compete for college places and jobs with 2010 students which is really unfair," said the headmaster.
Zimsec has for the past years been faced by as host of challenges.
It has become a tradition that the council endures problems with its examination makers after offering allowances deemed to be a pittance.
Zimsec has also come under fire for failing to put in place adequate security measures during examinations resulting in the leaking of question papers.
Source - New Ziana
