HARARE — Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has emphatically assured Parliament that Zimbabwe has not recorded any examination leakages over the past three years, stating that the persistent rumours circulating in 2024 and early 2025 are unfounded. Addressing senators during a question-and-answer session, Moyo said the country’s examination system has remained secure since the ministry implemented a series of reforms following the 2022 leakage scandal.
Moyo explained that the last confirmed breach of examination integrity occurred in 2022, prompting the government and the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) to overhaul their security protocols. The minister said these reforms have proven effective, resulting in what he described as a “clean record” from 2023 through 2025.
“From 2023 to 2025, we never had any leakages,” Moyo told the Senate. “We tightened our security systems and managed examination processes. We have tabled the ZIMSEC Bill this week on Tuesday and I presented the Second Reading Stage.”
His remarks sought to dispel public anxiety after repeated claims on social media alleging that some 2024 examination papers had circulated among candidates before exam days. Parents, teachers, and students had raised concerns, but ZIMSEC had consistently denied the allegations. Moyo’s clarification, delivered on the parliamentary floor, is the government’s strongest and most official position so far on the matter.
The minister went on to outline the progress of the ZIMSEC Amendment Bill, which is now moving through Parliament and approaching its final stages. He said the Third Reading Stage will soon be brought before the Senate, after which the Bill will proceed for assent. The proposed legislation includes tougher penalties aimed at deterring anyone involved in examination malpractice.
Education Minister Says No Exam Leakages Recorded Since 2023
According to Moyo, the Bill introduces custodial sentences ranging from two to ten years for individuals found guilty of facilitating, distributing, or benefiting from examination leakages. This marks a significant shift from previous frameworks, which relied more heavily on fines and administrative measures. The government argues that stronger deterrents are necessary to protect the credibility of national examinations, which influence university placements, job opportunities, and long-term academic progression.
The minister also addressed the role of Examination Centres—primarily schools and authorised institutions that administer national exams. Moyo warned that centres found complicit in facilitating malpractice will face harsh administrative consequences.
“Examination Centres that will be found guilty of facilitating leakages will face penalties, including withholding of results or deregistration,” he said. “There will be an Appeals Committee so that if ZIMSEC recommends deregistration, a director of a centre can appeal to the regulator, which is the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.”
This provision aims to ensure fairness and accountability, allowing centres to challenge decisions they believe are unjust while still maintaining strict oversight. Many school heads had previously expressed concerns about being punished for the actions of individual staff members beyond their control. Moyo’s explanation suggests that the new system will rely on investigations and clear evidence before penalties are applied.
In addition to addressing leakages, the minister highlighted ongoing efforts to curb impersonation—situations where an individual illegally sits for an examination on behalf of a registered candidate. Impersonation cases, though relatively rare, have long threatened exam integrity and often involve sophisticated coordination among offenders.
Moyo said new systems being implemented by ZIMSEC and the ministry will make impersonation extremely difficult. These include updated identity verification processes, stricter supervision protocols, and digital innovations designed to confirm the authenticity of candidates. He stressed that the government views impersonation as a serious offence that undermines fairness for honest students.
“We also have issues where people pretend to be candidates and write examinations on their behalf,” he noted. “We are putting in place systems to ensure that such practices come to an end.”
The minister’s reassurances appear aimed at restoring public confidence in the examination system amid heightened scrutiny. Over the past several years, concerns about malpractice have sparked national debate, with some stakeholders calling for full digitisation of examinations and others urging increased training for invigilators.
However, Moyo maintained that government reforms are already yielding results and that Zimbabwe’s examination system remains credible and secure. He urged parents, students, and the wider public to trust the processes in place and to allow the ministry to continue strengthening the system through legislative and administrative measures.
As Parliament continues to debate the ZIMSEC Bill, the minister said the government remains committed to protecting the integrity of the country’s education system. For now, officials hope that the firm message delivered in the Senate will ease concerns, counter misinformation, and reinforce confidence ahead of future examination cycles.
Source- Byo24
