LET us not compromise the integrity of the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC).
As a nation we are engaged in efforts to transform and turn around our institutions in the various spheres.
The work is arduous for we are working with minimum resources.
And we cannot afford to do things that will compromise our hard work and set us back.
Zimbabwe is a nation that is moving forward despite the numerous challenges.
Thus it is infuriating that in the recent incidences, of paper leakages, which are costly to the taxpayer and most importantly our hardworking students it is the name of ZIMSEC that is being sullied.
It is sad that it is the name of ZIMSEC that is being dragged into the mud in cases where the blame must solely lie with the school authorities that have abdicated their responsibility.
We must call a spade a spade and ZIMSEC is not to blame for the leakages of examination papers.
Papers have leaked at school level and not the ZIMSEC level.
ZIMSEC has played its role, delivering to the best of its ability.
Papers were set and delivered to schools around the country without any incidence.
It is the duty of school authorities to ensure that the examination papers in their custody are not compromised.
Thus school authorities have a case to answer, they must be held accountable.
Chavashaya chii maheadmaster/mistress, nevadzidzisi ava/basweleni ababalisi laba.
Are the monetary ‘benefits’ from leaking these examination papers worth compromising the integrity and honour of our institutions?
The characters being fingered in this horrible act of paper leakages are headmasters, headmistresses and teachers, people that we hold in high esteem.
These people have not only betrayed the trust of their schools but the trust of the nation as well.
The damage, the costs financially and on the whole examination system is high.
It is imperative for our officials to think and be sensible before they act, now an incident in the Midlands province has proved costly for the whole nation, affecting students in Binga, pupils in Chipinge, learners in Muzabarani.
Thousands of dollars have been spent in resetting papers, thousands spent just for trinkets that are being received by these corrupt officials.
Any examination system must have integrity and honour and ours has tried its best and continues to, but such cases will not help.
ZIMSEC has over the years worked hard towards improving its systems.
And a few greedy officials are bent on derailing these efforts, this must not be tolerated.
Despite the challenges bedevilling the nation wrought by sanctions imposed by Britain and its allies, our institutions have operated to the best of their abilities and delivered a respectable service under difficult conditions.
This issue of leakages must not be treated lightly.
It is a serious issue and must be treated as such.
Besides we are subjecting our innocent and hardworking children to torture.
Preparations for any examination are a tortuous experience.
And by asking them to rewrite we are putting these poor souls through the same nightmare again.
Our children have spent sleepless nights preparing for the examinations and it is unfair that they repeat the process.
Thus these irresponsible officials are not only short-changing the examination system but our hardworking children.
They are short-changing the country and the whole education system, they must be held accountable.