BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) is scrambling to inform candidates for the mid-year Ordinary Level examinations about a change of date for two papers which had been erroneously scheduled on a holiday.
Candidates who registered for the midyear exams were initially issued with statements of entry indicating that they would sit the English and Combined Science papers on Monday, May 26.
May 26 is not ordinarily a public holiday but it will be this year because Africa Day – May 25 – falls on a Sunday.
In Zimbabwe, where a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on the next working day, which is typically Monday.
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicky Dlamimi admitted the error and said it had been corrected.
“The dates were revisited and any exams scheduled for May 26 initially were brought forward to May 23,” she told ZimLive.
Questions remain over whether all candidates – especially private candidates who are outside the school system – have been informed of the change.
Dlamini said it was the duty of exam centres to reach out to all candidates registered with them to keep them updated on changes to the exam calendar.
“A circular was sent out to all schools along with the statements of entry. All candidates will be advised by their centres. ZIMSEC is also communicating through its various channels,” the ZIMSEC spokesperson said.
Dlamini did not readily have a breakdown of the school candidates and private candidates who will sit the exams.
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