ZimEye.org
By Moses Muchemwa
December 13, 2009
Harare – The Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture David Coltart is set to restructure the Zimsec Board to improve its functionality.
Coltart said the move was aimed at improving the functional viability of the examination body characterised by numerous shortcomings and challenges that crippled the smooth running of examinations in the country.
He however did not highlight on the names of candidates who were likely to occupy the new board arguing that his ministry was still making consultations.
“My ministry is currently working on a new Zimsec board as stipulated by the law. What is important is that we are in the process of putting our house in order as you are aware that there has been so much criticism on our examination body for its failure to ensure smooth execution of examinations and this has compromised our education status in the entire southern region,†said Coltart.
Coltart added that the main aim of setting up a new board was to ensure efficiency within Zimsec, which was slowly becoming unfashionable to most parents and pupils.
“We acknowledge that parents have lost faith in Zimsec thus as ministry we are focusing on restoring confidence and this could be done by total revamping operations of the examination body.
“We hope that by putting up a new board the functions and operations of Zimsec would improve to restore trust and confidence among stakeholders,†he said.
Happy Ndanga who is the director heads the current body.
Zimsec spokesperson Ezekiel Pasipamire confirmed the development stating that it was the Minister’s prerogative to appoint the board.
“The term of office for the current board expired last year hence it is a necessity for the minister to name and appoint the new board. The other thing is that there hasn’t been a full Zimsec Board for quite sometime,†he said.