Pass rates, those with at last five subjects at grade C or
better, rose to 28,96 percent although pass rates for boys actually fell, 11,54
percent more candidates wrote the examinations, but Zimsec was determined that
cheating could not prosper.
Zimsec chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje announced both the
availability of the results, and the nullification of the results of those who
cheated, at a Press conference in Harare yesterday.
The cheats amounted to around 1,78 percent of the 278 760
who wrote O-level.
At the end of last year, there were reports that the
O-level Mathematics papers 1 and 2, and English Paper 2 might have been leaked,
and speculation that some might have seen more. Zimsec has a number of ways of
tracking down those who cheated by seeing a paper before the exam.
Prof Mwenje said some were identified during the writing of
the examinations but the same prior access was picked up at later stages, the
marking of scripts and grade reviews.
“The results of such candidates were nullified for the
subjects in question in accordance with the Zimsec Act, Section 34. Candidates,
headmasters and members of the public who were caught posting question papers
on WhatsApp and those buying them were arrested and appeared in court,” said
Prof Mwenje.
He said all other practices that contravened the Zimsec Act
were brought to the attention of Zimsec by schools.
“As a result of the combined investigations, reports from
school and the identification of culprits at marking and grade review stages, a
total of 4 961 candidates had results nullified. This number is out of 278 760
who registered for the Ordinary Level examination. The number represents 1,78
percent of the total candidate entry,” he said.
Zimsec said it reserves the right to withhold results even
after the publication date and results which have been issued can be withdrawn
upon evidence of malpractice by candidates. More so, any centres which were
complicit in the examination malpractice will be de-registered.
The numbers of those punished, said Prof Mwenje, is
worrisome but they were careful not to punish the innocent.
“1,78 percent is of course a reason to worry but it’s a
figure we say that we have to make sure that we don’t punish other people,” he
said.
Legal amendments will allow harsher punishment for cheats.
“In fact, we were lenient because we nullified the very
subject that we were concerned about. The system that comes into place through
the amendment Act will probably nullify every system that you have results in
because we wouldn’t know if you didn’t have access to this. It’s quite a
lenient approach but that’s telling you that we are not going to tolerate
malpractices in our examination system.” he said.
There was an 11,54 percent jump in the number of candidates
to 278 760 in November 2022 last year compared to the 249 914 candidates in
2021.
In 2022, a total of 183 584 wrote five or more subjects and
53 169 passed five or more subjects with a grade C or better giving an overall
pass rate of 28,96 percent as compared to 163 179 candidates who wrote five or
more subjects in 2021, with 42 985 passing five or more subjects with a Grade C
or better yielding a pass rate of 26,34 percent.
The total number of male candidates who sat for 2022
Ordinary Level Examinations was 132 653 and of these 86 018 wrote five or more
subjects and 21 645 passed five or more subjects translating to a pass rate of
25.16 percent. The total number of male candidates who sat for the 2021
Ordinary level examinations was 118 918 and of these 77 133 wrote five or more
subjects and 20 971 passed five or more subjects translating to a pass rate of
27.19 percent. The pass rate for male candidates in 2022 decreased by 2.03%.
The results started to be accessed online by candidates or
authorised personnel from yesterday. The results portal will be open for a
window of five days. Candidates can access the results portal on the Zimsec
website at www.zimsec.co.zw by clicking on their province for redirection to
the results portals. Candidates can collect their result slips from their
centres or schools from Monday. Herald
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