The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has introduced enhanced security measures to curb cheating ahead of the 2026 public examinations, including traceable question papers and personalised answer sheets.
The new features are designed to safeguard the integrity of local examinations by allowing question papers to be traced to the centres to which they were allocated.
At the same time, personalised answer sheets will prevent the substitution or smuggling of scripts into examination rooms.
The measures cover the entire examination chain, from the printing and packaging of papers to their distribution, storage and eventual use by candidates.
They come into effect as Grade Seven examinations begin on 21 September, with Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations set to start on 12 October.
ZIMSEC public relations manager Nicky Dhlamini said security and examination integrity remained a priority, with technological advances in the printing and packaging of materials strengthening safeguards.
She said security features embedded in the examination materials enable ZIMSEC to identify the centre to which particular question papers were allocated.
“From printing to distribution and eventually the sitting of examinations, everything is closely monitored by security and loss-control teams,” she said.
The tracking system means that if candidates gain premature access to question papers, security teams can trace the materials to their centre of origin, allowing investigations to focus on the source of the breach.
The measures are designed to ensure that investigations target those responsible without prejudicing innocent candidates.
“In close collaboration with State and private agencies, ZIMSEC can identify and punish only the guilty without prejudicing innocent candidates,” Dhlamini said.
ZIMSEC has also strengthened safeguards against the use of unauthorised scripts through the personalisation of answer sheets.
“Personalisation of answer sheets also prevents malpractice involving foreign scripts being smuggled from outside the examination room,” she said.
More: The Sunday Mail
Leave a Reply Cancel reply