Zimsec Bill Proposes Jail Time, Heavy Fines for Exam Malpractice
Candidates caught cheating in public examinations could face up to five years behind bars, while rogue schools could be deregistered and forced to pay for alternative exam centres under a hard-hitting new law set to shake up Zimbabwe’s examination system.
According to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Amendment Bill, recently gazetted by Parliament, both individuals and institutions found guilty of examination malpractice will face stiff penalties.
Institutions where more than half the candidates are implicated in malpractice will face suspension and will be compelled to cover the cost of relocating their students to new centres.
The Bill, which is now awaiting debate in the National Assembly, introduces far-reaching reforms to Zimsec’s structure and operations but it’s Clause Eight, targeting cheats and fraudsters, that has captured national attention.
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The proposed law lists specific offences such as unlawful possession of exam material, altering candidates’ scripts or results, and forging certificates.
These offences carry penalties of fines equivalent to Level Seven or two years in prison or both.
More serious infractions like forging result documents could land offenders five years behind bars or fines up to Level 14.
“Any person who forges, alters, offers, utters or disposes of any document, purporting to show that a person has obtained a result in an examination held by the Council… shall be guilty of an offence,” reads part of Clause Eight.
Zimsec defines malpractice as any intentional or reckless conduct that compromises the integrity of an examination, giving one candidate unfair advantage over others.
Over the years, Zimsec has battled a growing trend of paper leaks, impersonation, and other scandals undermining the credibility of national exams.
The Bill also brings internal reforms: Clause Two proposes changing the title of Zimsec’s head from director to chief executive officer, while Clause Three empowers Zimsec to deregister centres that fail to meet exam standards.
Clause Four revises the board’s composition, requiring the inclusion of experts in key areas like audit, HR, and IT to strengthen oversight.
The board must now meet at least four times a year, and Zimsec’s financial year will align with the calendar year, ending December 31.
As reported by The Herald, the Bill seeks to modernise the Zimsec Act of 1994, closing loopholes and aligning the law with present-day realities.
Education Minister Torerai Moyo is expected to table it before Parliament for the first reading, with public hearings to follow.
