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From: as on 13 Mar 2010 18:39
Zimsec rot exposed

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

Saturday, 13 March 2010 20:48

A government audit of the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Councils (Zimsec)
has cast doubts on the integrity and credibility of last year's examinations
in what could be the final straw for the beleaguered institution.

Zimsec last week released the November O'level results amid reports that
reputable institutions were rejecting prospective A'level students who
passed the local exams with flying colours in favour of those who wrote
those administered by Cambridge University Overseas Exmination Board.

Zimbabwe localised its examinations in 2002 but critics say the move was
ill-timed as the country was already in the middle of an unprecedented
economic crisis.

The fears about Zimsec's credibility have been confirmed by the audit
jointly carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General and Ernst & Young
whose final report was obtained by The Standard last week.

The report titled Zimsec Capacity Assessment: November 2009 paints a gloomy
picture on the future for local examinations and also raises issues of
mismanagement.

The investigation carried out in November last year revealed that no one at
Zimsec was prepared to confirm that the Grade VII, O'level and A'level
examinations, already undermined by persistent strikes by teachers and late
registrations, would pass the litmus test.

"Up to the time of writing this report, Zimsec management could not give
assurance that the 2009 examinations would have the acceptable levels of
integrity and credibility," the report concluded.

"Injection of funding alone at this time will not do much to remedy the 2009
issues, but we will go a long way towards attainment of the long-term
vision."

The auditors expressed serious doubts on the quality of people responsible
for the setting and administration of the examinations.

"The skills base has been depleted by brain drain; item writers should have
qualifications and experience above that of the ordinary teacher and
examiners," the 83 paged report says.

"They should have knowledge of other sectors of the economy yet many of them
are teachers with limited experience."

But in the same breadth the auditors concede that restoration of the
integrity and credibility of Zimsec operations would not be a stroll in the
park because the systems had nearly collapsed.

The auditors believe Zimsec needs a complete overhaul and in their report
they identify many legal loopholes and possible cases of abuse of authority.

Zimsec last had a board meeting in May 2008 and terms of office for 10
non-executive board members out of 14 have expired, meaning that the
examinations body is operating without a board.

"There is no independent oversight of the operations of the Zimsec and this
allows decisions that may not be good for the Zimsec to be taken as long as
they are favourable to the director (Happy Ndanga), who is the only
remaining board member," the report says.

"The performance of the director is not monitored and errant decisions may
be made."

Two years ago the board wrote to the Ministry of Education, Arts, Sports and
Culture proposing that its term should be extended by another five years but
the government is yet to respond.

The report also notes that Zimbabweans have lost confidence in the
examinations process and "the results released thereafter."

Zimsec has also been failing to manage its finances properly, the auditors
confirmed.

"It was noted that there is a culture of recycling budgets from year to year
with minimal changes being made to reflect the current operating
environment," the report added.

There were also questions about Zimsec's procurement process. The
examinations body does not have an annual procurement plan.

In 2008, the body bought printing equipment and there is no documentation
for the purchase.

The auditors discovered that there were instances where caterings services
were provided without any contractual documents in place between Zimsec and
the caterer.

The arrangement for the provision of food to markers was also not sanctioned
by the state procurement board.

Zimsec might also be evicted from its head office anytime because it does
not own the building.

The examinations body does not have any agreements with the owners of the
building, the Ministry of Public Works.

"This is a risk, since Zimsec can be given a short notice period to vacate
the premises as the case in Masvingo where they have been asked to vacate
the premises by 31 December 2009," the auditors said.

"Zimsec is renting offices in Midlands, Masvingo and Mashonaland West. At
these sites, Zimsec is not able to improve the security features at the
buildings."

It also risks losing stands in Norton, Masvingo, Gwanda, Gweru and Chinhoyi
if it does not develop them within five years since there are no title
deeds.

The body might also lose four vehicles donated by the Reserve Bank because
it does not have their registration books. The cars are not insured.

Staff morale is at its lowest ebb with employees reportedly not getting
salary advice slips.

Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, David Coltart said he was in a
meeting when he was contacted for comment yesterday.

BY KHOLWANI NYATHI

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