Published by the government of Zimbabwe
8 October 2008
Harare — THIS year's Grade 7 examinations have been delayed with the Zimbabwe School Examina-tions Council still to dispatch timetables and examination material to schools.
Headmasters interviewed in Harare yesterday said the examinations should have started on Monday this week so that the results would be released in the first week of December.
"There were indications that the examinations would start on October 6, but we have not received anything from the authorities, including statements of entry and candidate numbers for the pupils," a headmaster in Glen Norah said yesterday.
A teacher, who cannot be named for professional reasons, said the situation was dire as schools had not yet received anything official pertaining to the examinations.
She said children were, however, continuing with their preparations through private tutors who were conducting lessons at home.
"We are not holding lessons at the moment, but we were of the belief that the examinations would start on October 6, but nothing has happened.
"The headmaster at our school is actually planning to go to the Ministry of Education district offices to get a clearer picture of the situation," she said.
At Kundai Primary School in Glen Norah, Grade 7 pupils said although they had registered for the examinations in January this year, no dates had been communicated and they were waiting for an official announcement.
"We are just getting ready for the examinations. Maybe we will start next week on Monday (October 13), but the teachers have not told us anything," one of the pupils said.
However, Zimsec last week allayed fears that this year's examinations -- including "O" and "A" Level examinations -- would be postponed, saying preparations were going on smoothly.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Zimsec public relations manager Mr Ezekiel Pasipa-mire confirmed that the examinations board was still working on the timetables and would communicate with centres soon.
"Zimsec is still to dispatch this year's timetables for Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations to exam centres.
"We will soon be communicating with centres informing them of the timetables.
"As far as Zimsec and the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture are concerned, the examinations are still on and we will dispatch the timetables as soon as we are through with logistical arrangements," he said.
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The herald does not represent the people as evidenced on their silence in this article in interogating the powers be the likes of Sabhuku Chigwedere on the rational behind writtng end of year Exams when teachers had been on strike since schools opened. Time tables are fulfilment of scheduled tasks. Are the kids well prepared. How can you talk of kids who have been getting private tutorship as if its nationwide. Just like the current Government, The Herald has lost touch with the population. Thats the danger of being a mouth piece of a party not the the people. No… [Read Full Text]