Bulawayo – Residents of Bulawayo have called for stiffer penalties against examination paper leaks, with a strong proposal for a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) employees found guilty of leaking or facilitating the leakage of examination material.
The demand was made during a public hearing on the ZIMSEC Amendment Bill held at a Bulawayo hotel yesterday. The meeting was part of a nationwide consultation being carried out by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.
Ms. Sehlile Thebe, one of the participants, set the tone for the debate when she argued that exam leaks almost always originate from ZIMSEC insiders rather than teachers or students.
“A question paper cannot suddenly find its way into a teacher’s or learner’s phone. The source is ZIMSEC. I, therefore, propose a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for officials found complicit,” Ms. Thebe declared, drawing nods of approval from the packed room.
Her remarks were quickly seconded by Ms. Monalisa Dube, who said the credibility of the education system could only be restored if authorities targeted the root cause of leaks.
“We are not condoning those who spread the papers, but closing the source is key. I support the 10-year sentence, if not more,” she said.
Bulawayo Residents Demand Mandatory 10-Year Jail Terms for ZIMSEC Exam Leaks
ZIMSEC, which sets, administers, and marks national examinations, has battled repeated scandals involving leaked papers, undermining confidence in the system. In past years, police have arrested both teachers and candidates over circulating leaked papers, but suspicion has repeatedly fallen on insiders within the examinations council.
The call for tougher penalties reflects growing frustration among parents, teachers, and students who feel that such scandals cheapen academic qualifications and compromise the integrity of the country’s education system.9ooolk,
The hearing was chaired by Zaka North legislator, Cde Ofias Murambiwa, who leads the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. He reminded participants that public consultations were constitutionally required under Section 141 of the Constitution, which obliges Parliament to involve citizens in the law-making process.
“The ZIMSEC Act was enacted in 1994, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education felt a lot of changes have taken place in the education sector since then. As such, there is a need to align the Act with these changes,” Cde Murambiwa explained.
The committee is holding hearings across five provinces to gather views from citizens before finalizing amendments to the ZIMSEC Act.
Committee member Ms. Ellen Shiriyedenga outlined nine major proposals contained in the Bill. Among them is a change of title for the ZIMSEC head from “Director” to “Chief Executive Officer” (CEO), a move designed to elevate the authority of the office. Participants at the Bulawayo hearing went further, recommending that the CEO’s status be equivalent to that of a university vice-chancellor.
Another controversial proposal would empower ZIMSEC to deregister examination centres that fail to meet required standards. While some supported the idea as a way to safeguard the integrity of exams, others expressed concern that it could create excessive powers for the council without providing recourse for affected schools.
“The proposal gives ZIMSEC too much arbitrary power. There must be a platform for appeal,” warned Mr. Joseph Mutodza.
Echoing his sentiments, Ms. Dube argued that instead of punishing schools by deregistering them, ZIMSEC should provide resources and support to help them comply with standards.
Participants also called for greater inclusivity on the ZIMSEC board. Although the Bill maintains a 15-member board, residents argued that the composition should reflect a wider cross-section of stakeholders. Suggestions included adding representatives from teacher training colleges, the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH), the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH), and both public and private universities.
Mr. Morgan Moyo emphasized the importance of representation, saying: “Other institutions, like teacher colleges, ought to have representation on the ZIMSEC board.”
Another participant added that regional balance must also be considered to avoid concentration of influence in one area of the country.
For many participants, the overriding issue was how to restore the credibility of Zimbabwe’s examination system. Residents repeatedly stressed that the persistent problem of leaked papers was eroding public trust and disadvantaging honest learners.
By calling for a mandatory 10-year jail term, Bulawayo residents signaled their desire for harsher deterrents against malpractice. Many agreed that while students and teachers who circulate leaked papers should face consequences, the real accountability must lie with the insiders at ZIMSEC who are the source of the leaks.
As consultations continue in other provinces, the Portfolio Committee is expected to collate public submissions and incorporate them into the final draft of the Bill before presenting it to Parliament. If the public mood in Bulawayo is anything to go by, legislators will face strong pressure to recommend punitive measures targeting ZIMSEC officials involved in exam leaks.
Source- Bulawayo24
