According to reports from the authorities and several publications, it seems that ZIMSEC’s Economics Paper 3 which was written on Monday had leaked before the exam was written.
3 Form Six pupils at Gebhuza Secondary School in Hwange were allegedly found with an Economics examination question paper before the exam. This leaked paper was in soft copy format and according to the reports, one of the students said he had obtained in from a WhatsApp group where it had been posted and sold it to the other two accomplices.
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) spokesperson Ms Nicky Dlamini confirmed the leakage and said an investigation into the matter had been opened.
We received a report about the issue and our officers are on the ground carrying out investigations.
We understand that police went to the school to talk to the head and have taken the students involved for questioning.
We are still investigating circumstances around the alleged leakage as this becomes the first paper to leak this exam period.”
The leakage was exposed by the student’s Economics teacher one Mr Mandira. The trio had approached him asking him to help them with answers to the question paper. The teacher was dismissive and told them to focus on the material he had given them during their two-year study.
The teacher got the shock of his life when he finally saw the actual paper which looked identical to the soft copies the students had shown him. He contacted the headmistress who summoned the students. The students recounted their WhatsApp group story.
Don’t expect a rewrite though
Initial indications seem to show that this was a limited leak. So do not expect to reseat the paper. However, it is possible that members of the said WhatsApp group can end up having their results nullified. The entire school might be affected although that is rather unlikely.
