News & Events Exams without preparation
Exams without preparation
"The writing of public exams during the 2008 October-December period was just mere fulfilment of routine, an exercise in futility because there were no preparations on the part of the teachers and students."
Expected Results
The national pass rate is going to go down because the majority of candidates who sat for the exams in both urban and rural schools were not prepared enough due to the nationwide teacher strike. Only 8% of the total exam taking students are likely to record meaningful passes as they benefited from either having:
- received private tutorship (those whose parents were able to pay for extra lessons). Or
- attended some of the few private schools which did not experience teacher supply problems.
"Manyene Secondary School in Chivhu, Zimbabwe - No teachers, No students and national exams are due in a few days."
Effect of poor results
Apart from falling pass rates, the following negative effects are very possible:
- An increasing number of school leavers without certificates.
- A huge increase in unemployment.
- Crime and prostitution to secure survival.
- Social exclusion - "The poor" remain poor and uneducated.
- Low enrolment in tertiary institutions.
- A low and poor quality labour supply for the local and national industry.
Zimbabwe is currently in a dire economic mess mainly characterised by a runaway inflation of over a thousand percent, mass migration of skilled labour force, closure of key companies that employ millions and a critical food shortage. A paralysed education system is unwelcome and its after effects will not only worsen the current situation in Zimbabwe but phase out any hope for a foreseeable national recovery.
The report was written by Tongai Mushangwe, a Project Manager for Educated Horizon in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe