The proposed ZIMSEC Amendment Bill (H.B.4, 2025) was tabled as a response to years of exam leakages, inefficiencies, and growing mistrust in the examination system. Yet, while the Bill attempts to introduce stiffer penalties for malpractice, it fails to address the structural problems that continue to erode confidence in Zimbabwe’s education sector.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) welcomes provisions that seek to tighten security around national examinations. However, exam credibility cannot be restored by penalties alone. Leakages have persisted because the entire examination chain, from paper setting to storage and distribution is riddled with loopholes.
“The ZIMSEC Amendment Bill fails to address the root causes of exam leakages. You cannot legislate integrity without fixing the broken systems of storage, transportation, and payment for exam officials.” — ARTUZ Spokesperson
Without robust community oversight and a clear whistleblower protection system, the same weaknesses will remain.
Equally concerning is the Bill’s silence on remuneration for examiners, markers, and invigilators. Every year, thousands of educators dedicate long hours to exam management but are paid late or inadequately.
“Teachers who set, mark, and invigilate exams are the backbone of the system, yet they are always paid late or too little. A law that ignores this reality is a law that will continue to fail.” — ARTUZ National Executive Member
This demoralisation contributes to exam malpractices. If government is serious about safeguarding the integrity of examinations, then timely and fair payment of exam workers must be enshrined in law.
The Bill also ignores the constitutional requirement under Section 75, which guarantees state-funded basic education. Exams are a core part of that right. Charging learners exorbitant fees for Grade 7, O-Level, and A-Level exams effectively excludes the poorest children. ARTUZ insists that examinations must be fully state-funded, with direct Treasury support to ZIMSEC.
“Charging children exam fees is a form of exclusion. If the Constitution guarantees free basic education, then exams which are part of that education must also be free.” — ARTUZ Secretary General
By introducing a costly CEO position, expanding the board, and holding more board meetings, the Bill risks bloating ZIMSEC’s administration while starving actual service delivery. These resources should instead fund modern security systems, remunerate staff fairly, and subsidise exam fees.
Zimbabwe’s examination system needs urgent reform, but the ZIMSEC Amendment Bill, as it stands, risks being another missed opportunity. ARTUZ calls on Parliament to strengthen the Bill to truly guarantee integrity, fairness, and accessibility.