MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE—The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has warned schools against manipulating examination pass rates as the deadline for registration for the November 2026 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations approaches.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry said all schools and examination centres must complete registration by March 27, 2026, using the online registration system.
Authorities said heads of examination centres will be held fully accountable for the accuracy of candidate information submitted during the registration process.
The ministry said examination centres must register a minimum of 10 candidates for both Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations to qualify as centres.
Private candidates are also required to present valid identification documents during registration, including a national identity card, passport, driver’s licence or a certified birth certificate.
The ministry urged schools to ensure that candidates with special needs are properly identified during registration so that the necessary examination arrangements can be made.
Candidates are also required to verify and sign off on their registration details before submission to avoid errors that may affect their examination entries.
The ministry further warned that candidates who fail to sit for all components of their registered subjects will not receive examination results.
Authorities also raised concern over unethical practices by some schools attempting to manipulate pass rates by registering school candidates as private candidates.
“The ministry warns against unethical practices such as registering school candidates as private candidates to manipulate pass rates.
“That is a breach of examination regulations and attracts consequences of great displeasure,” reads the statement from the ministry’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro.
