Lawmaker Urges Minister to Resign Over Leaked Exam Papers
Mbizo Member of Parliament Settlement Chikwinya says examination paper leakages in recent months in Zimbabwe are shameful
HARARE — Mbizo lawmaker, Settlement Chikwinya of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday told Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora to consider resigning saying he is failing to competently run the ministry. Chikwinya said examination paper leakages in recent months in Zimbabwe are shameful. Chikwinya was responding to Dokora’s ministerial statement in the National Assembly on measures that have been taken by the ministry and the police to curb examination paper leaks. Dokora said those behind the leakages had been arrested and the matter was before the courts. But Chikwinya said arresting teachers or disciplining ministry officials is not enough. He said Dokora should resign if he is serious about putting corrective measures in the sector. He cited former Education Minister, Edmund Garwe, who resigned in the nineties after his daughter was found in possession of examination papers she had accessed after he had taken them home. Dokora did not respond to Chikwinya’s resignation calls, but said it was everybody’s responsibility to maintain the integrity of the country’s examination system. A headmistress and five teachers from Gweru and Kwekwe this week appeared in court facing charges of leaking two Ordinary Level examination papers. The leaked papers were for Geography Paper Two and Integrated Science Paper Two. Meanwhile, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Joel Matiza says government will go ahead with plans to destroy illegal structures in towns and cities around the country. He said the program will start once an audit being undertaken by the ministry has been completed. Matiza said the ministry’s program will not only address the needs of illegal settlers but will also address accommodation issues for those in need. Government has come under fire for its planned program which it says is meant to bring sanity and order as well as ensure people follow by-laws of their local authorities.