Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 October 2009
Harare — GOVERNMENT is in the process of drafting a Bill that seeks to consolidate the two local examination boards -- Zimbabwe School Examinations Council and Higher Education Examinations Council -- into a single entity, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge has said.
Speaking after a closed meeting with student representatives in Harare yesterday, Minister Mudenge said putting Zimsec and Hexco under one board would greatly assist in responding to multi-faceted problems currently facing the education sector.
"The students proposed to have one body responsible for all levels which is properly manned, equipped and funded to run examinations.
"This is, however, something I have been working on to have Zimsec and Hexco consolidated," Minister Mudenge said.
The Zimbabwe National Association of Students' Union and the Zimbabwe Congress of Students' Union represented the students.
Minister Mudenge said the proposed law, Zimbabwe Qualifications Authority Bill, arose from the current situation characterised by postponement of examination dates and marking contributing to late release of results, among other factors.
He said the meeting dwelt more on the plight of students both in formal schools and colleges who have now been given the greenlight to register for their final year examination by October 16.
Under the new arrangement, the students are required to register and arrange to pay exam fees on a loan basis.
"It is in the national interest that all students are allowed to sit for their examination at the same time instead of having those who managed to register proceed to write now and have the others write in June," Minister Mudenge said.
"It compromises the quality of their education since they had been preparing to write now and not next year. Furthermore, it is Government's obligation that education is affordable and accessible to all according to the international conventions that we are signatory to."
Other issues discussed included increased budgetary allocation to the ministry to allow for renovation of academic infrastructure in all tertiary institutions and opening of University of Zimbabwe halls of residents.
Among those who attended the meeting were Zinasu president Miss Brilliant Dube, co-ordinator Mr Mfundo Mlilo, and gender and human rights secretary Mr Priviledge Mutanga while Zicosu was represented by its secretary general Mr Tanaka Manyadza, deputy secretary Mr Daniel Mupfupi and co-ordinator Mr Kingston Magaya.
Minister Mudenge's advisor on student affairs Advocate Eureka Ndhlovu also attended the meeting.
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