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Tafadzwa Ndlovu Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council is still withholding November 2014 O-Level examination results for some centres where students were suspected of involvement in exam malpractices.

The move has dealt a heavy blow to scores of students intending to pursue for further studies.

ZIMSEC spokesperson Mrs Nicholette Dlamini told The Herald that they were still withholding results for suspected exam cheats pending finalisation of an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

“Yes, we have some students who have not yet received their results. But we can’t say which ones until we finish our investigations,” she said.

“Even if they are found innocent by the court, we have our own investigations going on.”

The 2014 November Ordinary Level results were released on February 6 this year, but several centres have not received results for one or two subjects.

Mrs Dlamini also said the council was doing all it could to curb exam leakages. She said they since flighted tenders for new tamper-proof technology to be introduced soon.

“We are introducing a new technology – gridlock technology – which consists of a box the size of a briefcase in which all the papers are stored. Once locked the case will only be opened via a remote system operated from Zimsec offices in Harare,” she said.

Leaking of examination papers is not something that should be taken lightly as the examination board might lose credibility.”

Zimsec has failed to roll out the new gridlock system ahead of the June Ordinary Level exams starting soon.

Meanwhile, the 9th Southern Africa Association for Educational Assessment Conference (SAAEA) opened in Harare on Monday this week with Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Prof Paul Mavhima emphasising the need to shift from assessment of children to their participation in the learning process.