The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) has failed to implement its much-touted gridlock system aimed at eradicating examination leaks.
By Luyanduhlobo Makwati
The gridlock system was meant to be piloted this year starting with provinces hardest hit by leaks.
But in a survey by NewsDay, it emerged that even the current Grade Seven exams were still using the same old system.
Secondary school heads who spoke to this paper said they had not been trained on the system despite the fact that “O” and “A” Level exams were around the corner.
“As a headmaster, I think by now they would have called us and taught us how the system works.
I believe this year we will continue with our old system,” said one headmaster in Bulawayo.
“Also in view of the fact that exams are in a week’s time and we have not been told anything, it means the system is not coming this year.”
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Another teacher who also declined to be named echoed the same sentiments.
The public relations department at Zimsec had not yet responded to questions sent three days ago. Under the gridlock technology, question papers will be placed in sealed boxes with security codes remotely controlled from a command centre at the Zimsec head office.
The electronic boxes open simultaneously nationwide at a prescribed time and date of writing of an examination. The technology can also record attempts to tamper with it.
Zimsec executives a few months ago said the system, which was first used in South Africa, had since been franchised by a local company to allow for its trial run in the country.
