Zimsec's examination disaster

Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) strongly condemn the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council for its gross incompetence, unprofessional conduct, and reckless disregard for the sanctity of our national examinations. The ongoing crisis marked by open exam envelopes, mislabelled packages, paper shortages, and widespread leaks has deeply compromised the credibility of the 2025 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations.

The revelations expose a rot that can not be ignored: open envelopes arriving at schools, mismatched subjects in a single package, teachers forced to photocopy question papers, and intimidation of school administrators who raise legitimate concerns. This is not just a logistical failure. It is a moral and institutional collapse that betrays the trust of students, teachers, and parents alike.

For decades, ZIMSEC has been entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of national examinations, the very foundation of merit, fairness, and opportunity in our education system. Yet, year after year, the council continues to prove incapable of maintaining professional standards. The 2025 examination chaos is not an isolated event but part of a pattern of systemic negligence that has plagued the institution since localisation in 1998.

Accountability must be non-negotiable. LEAD demands the immediate establishment of an Independent Public Inquiry into ZIMSEC's operations including its procurement processes, logistics management, printing and packaging systems, and the alleged intimidation of educators. Those responsible for this fiasco must be held personally and institutionally accountable.

It is unacceptable that every year, arrests are made of low-level staff or teachers, while the real masterminds and structural failures within ZIMSEC remain untouched. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education must stop shielding ZIMSEC and instead act decisively to protect the integrity of Zimbabwe's education system.

Proposed Solutions and Reforms

1) Immediate Public Audit
Commission a full public audit of ZIMSEC's examination handling procedures, logistics, and information security systems, led by independent education experts and civil society.

2)Professionalisation of Examination Management
ZIMSEC must undergo institutional reform, introducing transparent systems of accountability, staff vetting, and continuous performance evaluation.

3) Return to School-Based Logistics for Science Practicals
The decision for ZIMSEC to distribute laboratory chemicals and equipment must be reversed. Schools are better equipped to handle these logistics safely and responsibly.

4) Strengthening Information Security
Invest in secure digital tracking and verification mechanisms, including encrypted packaging codes and blockchain-based exam paper movement tracking to prevent tampering and leaks.

5) Protection for Whistleblowers and Educators
Teachers and headmasters who report irregularities must be protected by law, not harassed. Whistleblower protection is essential for restoring transparency and trust.

6) Stakeholder Oversight:
Introduce a multi-stakeholder oversight board including teachers' unions, parents' associations, and student representatives to monitor ZIMSEC's operations and report to Parliament.

Education is the heartbeat of national development. When examination integrity collapses, the future of our children, our workforce, and our nation collapses with it. The Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats will continue to advocate for a transparent, accountable, and merit-based education system, one that rewards hard work and protects every learner's right to fair assessment.

We urge the government to act now before Zimbabwe's education system loses all public confidence. Torerayi Moyo you need to restore confidence in education.

"Empowering citizens through justice, dignity, and accountability."