Chililabombwe DC calls for exam safety

Chililabombwe District Commissioner, Stuart Chitumbo, has urged stakeholders responsible for conducting examinations to guard against any form of malpractices to safeguard the integrity of Zambia’s examination system.

Speaking during the Chililabombwe District Examinations Security Committee meeting held at the Municipal Council, Mr Chitumbo said there was need to maintain sanity when conducting examinations.

Mr Chitumbo saluted the Zambia Police service in the district for exercising high levels of professionalism and dedication to duty that resulted in the arrest and prosecution of people that attempted to engage in malpractices during last year’s examinations.

The Examinations Security Committee meeting was convened to strategise on the best ways of curbing malpractices during the fourth coming 2014 June-General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations.

Mr Chitumbo commended the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) for introducing the June Grade 12 examinations as they accorded candidates an opportunity to improve their grades and upgrade their academic certificates or pursue tertiary education.

He urged the security committee to enhance their sensitisation strategies by involving other stakeholders like the business community that have photocopiers, Church leaders, pupils and community members to ensure they are made aware of the evils and consequences of getting involved in examination malpractices.

The District Commissioner further called for the opening of more centres for GCE examinations as opposed to the prevailing situation where the district only has one centre despite the overwhelming demand.

The Chililabombwe Secondary School centre has 2006 registered candidates sitting for various subjects during the June 2014 GCE examinations.

Last year, Chililabombwe recorded the best results on the Copperbelt at Grade 12 level while it recorded the best in the province at Grade nine level and second best countrywide.