Zimsec Exams Will Never Leak Again: Minister Reassures Country

Minister Moyo Confident Zimsec Exams Will Be Leak-Free In 2025

Zimbabwe’s education authorities have moved to reassure the public that examination papers will not leak during the upcoming Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) sittings. Education Minister Torerai Moyo said firm steps had been taken to safeguard this year’s process, describing leaks as “a thing of the past.”

The remarks come as schools reopen for the third term next week, with Grade 7 candidates starting their final primary school examinations in September before O and A-Level pupils sit theirs later in the year.

Government vows to protect exam integrity

Minister Moyo told The Herald that parents and guardians should have full confidence in the examination system this year.

He said:

“I’m 100 percent confident that come 2025 ZIMSEC examinations, which are starting this month, there won’t be any leakages because everything is set. By the way, the Grade 7 examinations are starting this September. Everything has been put in place so as to deal decisively with anyone who might wish or attempt to participate in the leakage.”

The Minister emphasised that the Government’s record over the past two years speaks for itself.

“Exam leakage is now a thing of the past. We last had an exam leakage in 2022, when one teacher in Matabeleland South participated in the leakage. But now we have put deterrent measures to ensure that students are protected and also the integrity of the examination is well respected.”

New systems to trace breaches

Moyo highlighted that examination papers are now individually serialised, a move designed to make any attempt at leakage easily traceable.

He explained:

“We have serialised all our examination scripts so that if any leakage happens, we are able to detect using our software where the leakage has happened. We are also able to trace the source of the leakage.”

He further warned that impersonation remained a concern, but stressed that anyone caught would face the full force of the law.

“Those who engage in impersonation will face jail time. There will be no leniency,” he said.

Bill proposes stronger penalties

The Minister also drew attention to legislative measures being developed in Parliament. The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Amendment Bill, recently gazetted, sets out harsher penalties for malpractice.

Moyo said:

“The proposed Bill stipulates that candidates found guilty of malpractice, including cheating, could face up to five years’ imprisonment. Institutions convicted of widespread irregularities will face deregistration and will also be required to cover the costs of providing alternative examination centres.”

Under the Bill, schools where half or more of the candidates are implicated in malpractice could face suspension. They would also be obliged to meet the financial burden of relocating candidates to other centres.

Moyo concluded by assuring parents, teachers, and candidates that the ZIMSEC 20Z25 exam session would proceed under strict security measures.