Full statement by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council board chairman Eddie Mwenje on the release of the 2023 November Ordinary level results:
<blockquote>
22 January 2024
RELEASE OF 2023 NOVEMBER ORDINARY-LEVEL EXAMINATION RESULTS
Introduction
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Board and Management would like to advise the nation of the release of the 2023 November Ordinary Level examination results.
The 2023 November ordinary Level examination results will be available online today, 22 January 2024 from 1500hrs.
Candidates’ results will be accessible to all candidates and authorised personnel online through the ZIMSEC portal accessed through the ZIMSEC Website www.zimsec.co.zw.
Candidates are advised to click on their respective region where they will be redirected to the portal on which they can access their results. Please take note that this portal will be open for 5 days only.
Heads of Examination Centres will be able to collect the results for their respective schools/centres from our Regional Offices from today, Monday, 22 January 2024.
Entry and Pass rates
A total of 270 129 candidates sat for the November 2023 examinations as compared to 278 760 candidates who sat for the same examinations in 2022.
The candidature decreased by 8 631, translating to a percentage decrease of 3.1.
In 2023, a total of 185 021 wrote 5 or more subjects and 54 420 passed 5 or more subjects with a grade C or better giving an overall percentage pass rate of 29.41.
The November 2023 results show that the percentage pass rate for female candidates was at 30.1 while that of males was at 29.06.
These percentage pass rates increased by 5.03 and 3.9 respectively in favour of the girl child. The statistics show that the 2023 the overall pass rate increased by 4.35% from that of 2022.
The performance of candidates was analysed in the following categories:
<ul>
<li>School candidates;</li>
<li>Private candidates;</li>
<li>Female candidates;</li>
<li>Male candidates; and</li>
<li>Special Needs candidates.</li>
</ul>
School Candidates
School candidates who wrote five or more subjects in 2023 were 163 533 and 49 373 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, yielding a 30.19 percentage pass rate as compared to that of 2022 where 162 813 wrote 5 or more subjects with 49 501 obtaining a Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects resulting in a percentage pass rate of 30.40. This shows that the 2023 pass rate for school candidates decreased by 0.21%.
Private candidates
Private candidates who wrote 5 or more subjects were 23 095 and 5 047 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, which translates to a pass rate of 21.85% as compared to that of 2022 where 20 771 wrote 5 or more subjects with 3 668 obtaining a Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects resulting in a pass rate of 17.66%. This shows an increase of 4.19% in the 2023 pass rate for private candidates.
Female candidates
The total number of female candidates who sat for the 2023 Ordinary Level Examinations was 141 698 and of these 96 963 wrote 5 or more subjects with 29 094 passing 5 or more subjects, thus translating to a percentage pass rate of 30.01. The total number of female candidates who sat for the 2022 Ordinary Level Examinations was 146 106 and, of these, 97 565 wrote 5 or more subjects with 24 371 passing 5 or more subjects, thus translating to a percentage pass rate of 24.98. This shows an increase of 5.03% in the 2023 pass rate for female candidates.
Male candidates
The total number of male candidates who sat for 2023 Ordinary level Examinations was 128 431 and of these, 88 088 wrote 5 or more subjects and 25 596 passed 5 or more subjects translating to a percentage pass rate of 29.06. The total number of male candidates who sat for the 2022 Ordinary level examinations was 132 653 and of these, 86 018 wrote 5 or more subjects and 21 645 passed 5 or more subjects translating to a percentage pass rate of 25.16. The pass rate for male candidates in 2023 increased by 3.9%.
Special Needs candidates
A total of 253 special needs candidates sat for a range of subjects from 1 to 13 in 2023. Of these 159 wrote 5 or more subjects and 41 passed 5 or more subjects yielding an overall percentage pass rate of 25.79. A total of 265 special needs candidates sat for a range of subjects from 1 to 12 in 2022. Of these 151 wrote 5 or more subjects and 27 passed 5 or more subjects yielding an overall pass rate of 17.88%. The 2023 pass rate for special needs candidates increased by 7.91%.
Conclusion
We would like to acknowledge and appreciate the:
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education from District level to its Head Office;
<ul>
<li>The ZIMSEC Board and staff;</li>
<li>State Security agencies;</li>
<li>Teachers;</li>
<li>Markers; and</li>
<li>All our valued stakeholders who collaborated with ZIMSEC.</li>
</ul>
The combined effort led us to where we are today. We are releasing the 2023 Ordinary Level Examination results.
Allow me, on behalf of the ZIMSEC Board, to express my profound gratitude to all our stakeholders and clients.
Finally, the ZIMSEC Board and Management take this opportunity to wish all the candidates, the best in their future studies and endeavours.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

ZIMSEC 2023 O' Level Results Out | Full Statement By ZIMSEC Board Chairman

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has introduced new regulations that impose stiffer penalties on people involved in the leakage of public examinations and cheating.
Under the new regulations, individuals convicted of leaking public examination question papers could get nine-year prison sentences, while learners found guilty of the same offence will have their results nullified.
Previously, those found guilty of similar offences faced up to a year in jail but the courts prescribed community service for the majority of offenders.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/exam-cheats-face-nine-years-in-prison">The Sunday Mail</a>, ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said the new regulations will be gazetted soon. He said:
<blockquote>
We have been working on new regulations meant to curb leakages of the question papers.
We have realised that there are individuals who are taking advantage of the current regulations and making money out of the leakages.
So, with the help of the Attorney-General, we drafted new regulations that impose stiffer penalties, and they will be gazetted soon.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC public relations manager Nicolette Dlamini told The Sunday Mail that the new regulations will deter would-be offenders. She said:
<blockquote>
Anyone caught with Zimsec papers this time around is given a nine-year imprisonment sentence and there is no community service, because some people were taking advantage of the light sentences imposed by the courts, and that is why we are introducing stiffer penalties. They are charged under the ZIMSEC Act.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC says it will nullify the results of (i) candidates found in possession of question papers prior to the examination, (ii) candidates found to have had pre-access to examination papers, and (iii) candidates found to have distributed exam papers prior to the tests.
The candidates will only be allowed to write their exams “after four examination sessions”, according to the new regulations.
In 2022, 11 exam papers leaked. More than 100 people were convicted for having pre-access to the papers, among them school headmasters, teachers, police officers and learners.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIMSEC Exam Cheats Risk Nine Years In Jail

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says measures are already in place to prevent exam leakages.
ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/report-schools-unilaterally-hiking-fees">The Sunday Mail</a> everything is now in place to ensure that the upcoming 2023 public examinations are written without any hiccups. He said:
<blockquote>
All systems are set for Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six examinations. We started the preparations early and did not face any problems.
The June exams were actually our test run for new measures we were implementing, and I am glad to say it was a huge success.
The board is always on the ground to make sure they implement measures that make the examinations successful, and we are really learning from our mistakes from last year’s exams.
</blockquote>
Prof Mwenje said results for Grade Seven examinations will be released timeously this year to give parents time to prepare.
Meanwhile, according to the Grade 7 2023 Examinations Timetable released by ZIMSEC in July, the exams are scheduled to begin on Monday 25 September 2023, with English 01, followed by Mathematics 01 on 26 September. 
On Wednesday, 27 September, the candidates will sit for languages, that is Tshivenda 01, Shona 01, Sesotho 01, Kalanga 01, Xichangana 01, Tonga 01, Nambya 01, and Ndebele 01.
Social Science 01 will be written on 28 September, Agric, Science &amp; Tech 01 will be written on 29 September.
On Monday, 02 October, candidates will sit for Agric, Science &amp; Tech 02.
On 03 October, candidates will write Tshivenda 02, Shona 02, Sesotho 02, Kalanga 02, Xichangana 02, Tonga 02, Nambya 02, and Ndebele 02.
The Grade 7 candidates will sit for the Mathematics 02 paper on 04 October and for the Social Science 02 paper on 06 October.
On 09 October, candidates will write the Physical Edu &amp; Arts 01 examination.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"We Have Learnt From Past Mistakes", ZIMSEC Vows To Prevent Exam Leakages

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says it will deregister schools and examination centres complicit in the leakage of examination papers.
ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/exam-leaks-probe-zimsec-to-deregister-schools-centres/">Sunday News</a> on Saturday that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will deal with school heads involved in the leakage of examinations. He said:
<blockquote>
As you might be aware, there are some headmasters that are alleged to have opened examination papers.
If that was a distribution centre, it means it would receive papers before the date of the examination, we will deregister them from being a centre.
Also, if it comes out that the administration there was involved, the Ministry (of Primary and Secondary Education) will take the necessary action.
</blockquote>
The 2022 ZIMSEC Advanced and Ordinary level examinations were marred by irregularities, with thousands of candidates having pre-access to examination papers.
As a result, ZIMSEC nullified the results of 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates.
The A’ Level results were released on 13 January with ZIMSEC withholding results for 195 candidates.
The O’ Level results came out on 03 February with ZIMSEC nullifying the results of 4 961 candidates. Added Prod Mwenje:
<blockquote>
Centres have to register and qualify to administer ZIMSEC examinations. They have to adhere to ZIMSEC principles.
If they fail to adhere, we simply deregister them, they will have proved their unsuitability and if the headmaster is corrupt, we do not have the capacity to remove them because we do not employ them, their employer will deal with them.
If these are private schools we just say until you put your things in order you cannot be a centre, so the students have to write the examinations somewhere else.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC director Lazarus Nembabware said they are in the process of fact-gathering to identify all examination centres that were complicit in the examination malpractice.
He said when the investigations are concluded, ZIMSEC will name and deregister the centres.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said they are fully behind ZIMSEC and will allow the exams board to do its work without interference.

ZIMSEC Vows To Deregister Examination Centres Complicit In Leakages

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says it nullified the results of 4 961 candidates who sat for the 2022 Ordinary Level examinations for cheating.
In a statement released on Friday, 03 February, ZIMSEC board chairperson Eddie Mwenje said the figure represents 1.78% of the total candidate entry. He said:
<blockquote>
Candidates who had pre-access to question papers at different examination centres were identified during the writing of the examinations and also at the marking of scripts and grade review stages.
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.
All other practices that contravened the ZIMSEC Act were brought to the attention of ZIMSEC by respective schools.
As a result of the combined investigation reports from schools, and the identification of culprits at the marking and grade reviews 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% of the total candidate entry.
</blockquote>
The examinations were marred by several irregularities and some education stakeholders had called for the nullification of the examination.
Mwenje said the overall pass rate for the 2022 O’ Level examinations increased by 2.62% to 28.96% compared to 26.34% recorded in 2021. He said:
<blockquote>
A total of 278 760 candidates sat for the November 2022 examinations as compared to 249 914 candidates who sat for the same examinations in 2021.
There was an increase in the candidature of 28 846, thus translating to an increase of 11.54%.
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% as compared to l63 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%. The statistics show that the 2022 pass rate increased by 2.62% from 2021.
</blockquote>

ZIMSEC Nullifies Results Of 5 000 O' Level Candidates For Cheating

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) released the November 2020 ZIMSEC Ordinary Level Examination results this Monday.
ZIMSEC Board chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje told a press conference on Monday morning that Heads of Examination Centres will be able to collect the results for their respective schools/centres from the ZIMSEC Regional Offices starting today 3 May 2021.
Mwenje also said results will be accessible online for five days only through the ZIMSEC portal available at www.zimsec.co.zw from 10 pm today, 3 May 2021.
A total of 264 099 candidates sat for the November 2020 Ordinary Level examination as compared to 296 464 candidates who sat for the same examinations in 2019.
There was a decrease in the candidature of 32 365, thus translating to a percentage decrease of 11%.
In 2020, a total of 184 249 candidates wrote 5 or more subjects and 45 644 passed 5 or more subjects with a grade C or better giving an overall pass rate of 24.8%.
In 2019, 200 062 wrote 5 or more subjects and 63 215 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects. This translated to a 31.6 % pass rate.
The statistics show that the 2020 pass rate decreased by 6.8% from that of 2019. However, historical analysis indicates that in 2014 a pass rate of 22.4% was recorded while in 2017, a pass rate of 28.7% was recorded.
School candidates
School candidates who wrote five or more subjects were 168 272 and 43 244 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, yielding a 25.7% pass rate.
In 2019, school candidates were 176 866 out of which 59 879 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, yielding a 33.9% pass rate. This shows that the 2020 pass rate for school candidates decreased by 8.2%.
Private candidates
Private candidates who wrote 5 or more subjects in November 2020 were 15 977 and 2 403 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, which translates into a pass rate of 15.04%.
In 2019, 23 196 wrote 5 or more subjects and 3 336 obtained a Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, yielding a pass rate of 14.4%. This shows a 1.04% increase in the 2020 pass rate for private candidates.
Female candidates
The total number of female candidates that entered for the November 2020 Ordinary Level examinations was 136 847.
Out of this number 95 314 wrote 5 or more subjects with 22 581 passing 5 or more subjects, thus translating to a pass rate of 23.7%.
The total number of female candidates that entered for the 2019 O level examinations was 152 389.
Out of this number 101 798 wrote 5 or more subjects and 34 952 passed 5 or more subjects yielding a 34.3% pass rate. The pass rate for 2020 November female candidates decreased by 10.6%.
Male candidates
The total number of male candidates who entered to sit for the November 2020 Ordinary level examinations was 127 152 and of these 88 935 wrote 5 or more subjects and 23 580 passed 5 or more subjects translating to a percentage pass rate of 26.5.
In 2019 there were 144 075 male candidates who registered for the O level examinations. Of this number, 98 264 wrote 5 or more subjects and 32 388 passed 5 or more subjects yielding a pass rate of 33%. The pass rate for male candidates in 2020 decreased by 6.5%. The results show that male candidates performed slightly better than female candidates.
The overall pass rate for males was 26.5% and that for females was 23.7%. The same trend was observed in the November 2019 examinations where male candidates performed better than females. However, more female candidates registered for the examination than their male counterparts.
Special needs candidates
A total of 321 special needs candidates sat for a range of subjects from 1 to 12 in the November 2020 examinations.
Of these 223 wrote 5 or more subjects and 48 passed 5 or more subjects yielding an overall percentage pass rate of 21.5.
The total number of special needs candidates who sat for the November 2019 O level examinations was 332.
Of these 215 registered for 5 or more subjects and 64 obtained 5 or more subjects yielding a percentage pass rate of 29.8. The 2020 pass rate for special needs candidates decreased by 8.3%.
Professor Mwenje blamed the low pass rate on the disruption of the school calendar in 2020 that was caused by the COVID-19-induced lockdowns. He said:
<blockquote>It is important for all the stakeholders of examinations to note that the 2020 school calendar was disrupted and that candidates wrote the examinations under lockdown in 2021. We are grateful to Government for allowing the examinations to go on.
Amidst the strict observance of the WHO suggested COVID 19 precautions to mitigate against the spread of the novel virus, examinations were written and marked without any major incidents or notable setbacks.
The examinations went on exceptionally well without major incidence. This was enabled by the immense support ZIMSEC received from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.</blockquote>

Full Details: November 2020 ZIMSEC Ordinary Level Results Out

Teachers say the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has not yet informed them about the preparations for the marking of the June 2020 exams.
Zimbabwe Teacher’s Association (ZIMTA) chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu told ZTN News that ZIMSEC only told them that it was looking for funds to ensure that the markers are paid. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>ZIMSEC has not given us any dosage of their preparations regarding who is going to be marking and the logistics they have put in place.
Save to say they are looking for resources to ensure that marking proceeds and the markers are paid.
Whether they have finalised that or not, they are yet to inform us as the stakeholders.</blockquote>
ZIMSEC board chairperson Eddie Mwenje told the publication that marking should commence by the end of this week. He said:
<blockquote>We have trained markers already in our databases and we will follow the Ministry of Health systems. They offered to do PCR testing for free. Marking should kick off in earnest at all centres by end of the week. We will let you know the progress.</blockquote>
The examinations will be marked regionally which is a departure from the norm where markers meet at various centres as authorities try to ensure markers are safe from the novel coronavirus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2020/09/teachers-in-the-dark-over-june-exam-marking/?fbclid=IwAR3AHALSTXhwQrnJYP4hfaLxJmKMuRW2vy8fdw_2frCl_3JSFW7bAccs_PQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZTN News</a></h4>

Marking Of June 2020 ZIMSEC Exams Yet To Start

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have said learners are not prepared to write public examinations this year as they have not yet finished their syllabuses.
ZIMTA chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said it would be unfair to the learners if Government goes ahead with plans of scheduling the November exams this year as both the learners and the teachers were ill-prepared after losing significant learning time due to the lockdown. He said:
<blockquote>These learners have lost approximately 122 learning days and that means the learners have not covered the syllabi, they have not had the opportunity to revise and prepare for the examinations, neither are the teachers prepared to get the learners into examination mode.</blockquote>
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou asserted that the only time that pupils will be able to write examinations will be February next year. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>The only time possible for sitting of these exams will be February next year because for learners to be ready for exams, they require at least two to three months of intense learning, it’s important for us to realise that exams are a process, not an event.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) board chairperson Eddie Mwenje said examinations will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means pushing the examinations to December this year or January next year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/november-exams-in-february-teachers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Teachers Want ZIMSEC Exams In February 2021

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) chairperson Eddie Mwenje said that schools are likely to be opened in September, with public examinations starting in December and ending in January.
Mwenje added that Grade Seven examinations will be written first since the exams body is fully prepared for them. He said:
<blockquote>Schools are likely to be opened in September and the announcement is probably to be made next week (this week).
So, after they have made the announcement, we will then meet with the Ministry (of Primary and Secondary Education) and finalise how learners should catch up. Our thinking is examinations can start in December and overlap into January 2021.
The Grade Seven examinations will be the first examinations since we are now through with preparing for them.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takafira Zhou said unions have submitted their proposals to Government on the way forward. He said:
<blockquote>We made a two-part proposal to Government for schools to be opened in September or October this year, then schools close in December; then we open early next year, with national examinations written in mid-February to March. Then instead of having three terms, we have two terms.
The other proposal is to have schools open in September or October and then we have a crash programme this year.</blockquote>
Zhou said, however, the opening of schools will largely depend on Government being able to provide a safe environment for teachers and learners amid the coronavirus crisis.
Schools were closed in March when coronavirus was brought into the country and a planned reopening in July was shelved after local transmissions surged.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/exams-likely-to-spill-into-january" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Opening Of Schools Likely In September, Exams To Spill Into January - ZIMSEC

ZIMSEC is determined to go ahead with June exams as it released the June Examinations Timetable today, Zim Morning Post reports.
According to the publication, ZIMSEC chairperson Eddie Mwenje said ordinary and advanced level exams were scheduled for June 30 to July 20  and June 30 to July 23, 2020, respectively.
Mwenje also said more centres will be set up to allow social distancing and other WHO safety measures will be employed:
<blockquote>More stand-alone centres will be created to minimise movement and contact between administrators from different centres.
Examination centres are to observe the minimum one metre distance between candidates’ desk</blockquote>
However, teachers particularly teachers under ZIMTA said they were not ready for June exams. ZIMTA CEO is on record saying:
<blockquote>We are not ready for June examinations. Teachers are not willing. If the authorities go ahead with their plan, we are headed for industrial conflict. We cannot have pronouncements that ignore environmental dictates,</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/ill-prepared-zimbabwe-forges-ahead-with-june-examinations/">ZimMorning Post</a>

ZIMSEC Releases June Exams Timetable

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_School_Examinations_Council" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC</a>) has defended its decision to hike Ordinary Level and Advanced Level exam fees by 1 200 per cent.
Board Chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje said the development was cost-driven and the ZIMSEC management gave the necessary justification for the new fees structure to be approved. He said:
<blockquote>Yes, the examination fees were reviewed. This comes after we did not review them last year. It is an expense to run an examination and we are cognizant of the fact that children should have a right to education.</blockquote>
ZIMSEC increased examination fees to $190 per subject from $15 for Ordinary Level candidates and $351 per subject from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.
Closing dates for payments and submission of entries for June 2020 examinations is 28 February while the closing date for November is 27 March.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/govt-urged-to-consider-reducing-exam-fees/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

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