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Zimbabwe tightens laws against exam cheating
2 hrs ago |
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The National Assembly has approved tougher penalties for examination malpractice under amendments to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council law, alongside the introduction of a formal appeals mechanism for aggrieved candidates and examination centres.
Lawmakers agreed to increase the maximum penalty for exam cheating from an initial proposal of two years to five years' imprisonment, reflecting a stricter stance against malpractice that has affected public examinations in the past. The amendments also broaden the scope of offences to include impersonation, unlawful possession of examination materials, and the forging of results.
Under the revised framework, such offences will now fall under Level 14 on the standard penalty scale, which carries a fine, up to five years' imprisonment, or both. This is a significant increase from Level 7, which previously carried a maximum two-year jail term.
The changes were proposed during the Committee Stage of the Zimsec Amendment Bill, with Kuwadzana Member of Parliament Charlton Hwende leading the push for harsher penalties. The proposal received support from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, who said stronger penalties would act as a deterrent against organised exam paper leaks and related offences.
In addition to the tougher penalties, legislators approved a new appeals provision allowing any candidate or examination centre affected by a decision from ZIMSEC to challenge it. Under the new arrangement, appeals can be made first to the responsible minister and, if necessary, escalated to the High Court.
Proportional Representation MP Ellen Shiriyedenga argued that the inclusion of an appeal process promotes administrative justice, noting that the original Bill did not provide such a mechanism. Another MP, Edwin Mushoriwa, added that aligning the law with existing education legislation was important for consistency across the legal framework.
Minister Moyo supported the inclusion of the appeals process, saying it ensures fairness while maintaining accountability within the examination system.
Following the approval of the amendments, the Bill has been referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee to confirm that the changes are consistent with the Constitution before it proceeds further in the legislative process.
Lawmakers agreed to increase the maximum penalty for exam cheating from an initial proposal of two years to five years' imprisonment, reflecting a stricter stance against malpractice that has affected public examinations in the past. The amendments also broaden the scope of offences to include impersonation, unlawful possession of examination materials, and the forging of results.
Under the revised framework, such offences will now fall under Level 14 on the standard penalty scale, which carries a fine, up to five years' imprisonment, or both. This is a significant increase from Level 7, which previously carried a maximum two-year jail term.
The changes were proposed during the Committee Stage of the Zimsec Amendment Bill, with Kuwadzana Member of Parliament Charlton Hwende leading the push for harsher penalties. The proposal received support from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, who said stronger penalties would act as a deterrent against organised exam paper leaks and related offences.
In addition to the tougher penalties, legislators approved a new appeals provision allowing any candidate or examination centre affected by a decision from ZIMSEC to challenge it. Under the new arrangement, appeals can be made first to the responsible minister and, if necessary, escalated to the High Court.
Proportional Representation MP Ellen Shiriyedenga argued that the inclusion of an appeal process promotes administrative justice, noting that the original Bill did not provide such a mechanism. Another MP, Edwin Mushoriwa, added that aligning the law with existing education legislation was important for consistency across the legal framework.
Minister Moyo supported the inclusion of the appeals process, saying it ensures fairness while maintaining accountability within the examination system.
Following the approval of the amendments, the Bill has been referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee to confirm that the changes are consistent with the Constitution before it proceeds further in the legislative process.
Source - The Herald
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