Fifteen Form Six pupils at Gebhuza Secondary School in
Hwange have been arrested after they shared an alleged leaked Economics Paper 3
question paper on Monday.
The paper started circulating on WhatsApp at midnight on
Sunday and was written at 9AM the following day.
The pupils were taken to Hwange Police Station after school
authorities reported the matter to the police.
They were charged with revealing the contents of an
examination material prior to the exam, unlawful access to examination material
and engaging in fraud or dishonest conduct with regards to the exam.
The pupils were released on summons so that they could
continue with their examinations while investigations continue.
Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson sergeant
Namatirai Mashona said: “Investigations are in progress after some pupils were
found with an exam paper which they shared prior to writing of the
examination.” She said one pupil received the question paper through WhatsApp
and shared it with the classmates.
The Chronicle learnt that the question paper was posted on
two WhatsApp groups whose members are from different parts of the country.
It was first posted at midnight on Sunday on the Business
Studies students group that has 249 members before it was posted again on A
Level Accounting students group with 193 members on Monday.
Some pupils were also found with handwritten notes in their
pockets after getting hold of the leaked exam paper.
“On 28 October at midnight, one pupil received a message on
WhatsApp platform with the first page of Economics Paper 3 exam with 8
questions out of the 12 that make up the paper which was to be written at 9AM.
“The student forwarded the message with the questions to
two other pupils who went to school just before 8AM where they shared with
other pupils. While they were still sharing the economics teacher approached
them and checked the questions. He advised them not to rely on WhatsApp
messages,” said Sgt Mashona.
The teacher later raised alarm after seeing that the
questions he saw with the pupils matched the ones on the exam paper. The school head reported the matter to the police leading
to the arrest of the pupils.
Zimsec has over the years been rocked by exam leakages
which saw some papers being re-written.
Before the latest incident, no reports of exam paper
leakages had been recorded this year after the national examination body put some
security measures among them digitalising handling of exam papers to curb
corruption. Chronicle
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