ZIMSEC is an autonomous parastatal under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. It is an internationally accredited examinations board. Its syllabuses were evaluated by the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) in the UK, and found to be equivalent to the General Certificate of Education Standard offered in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, United States of America and the other English speaking countries, hence the internationally recognized qualifications conferred by the Council.
Vision
To be the center of excellence within the Sub–region and beyond in Quality Assessment in Education.
Our mission
The quality assessment of candidates` learning performance and awarding of nationally and internationally recognized certificates at different levels of the school education system, while optimally utilizing the Human and Material resources available to it.
Brief Historical Background
Cabinet decision to localize Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations;
Training of first lot of markers
First localized O-Level examination written;
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act (ZIMSEC ACT 1994).
1995
Completion of the localization of the Ordinary Level Examination;
October 1995
First ZIMSEC Board appointed;
November 1995
Birth of ZIMSEC Council under an Interim Director;
July 1, 1996
First substantive ZIMSEC Director appointed;
November 1, 1996
Former Examinations Branch staff joined ZIMSEC after abolition from the Public Service.
First ZIMSEC A-Level Examination written;
Completion of the localization of A-Level examinations.
Our values
Commitment
Professionalism
Security and Confidentiality
Integrity and Honesty
Innovation
Accountability
Significance
The aim of ZIMSEC is to offer an excellent, value driven, educational assessment and responsive awarding systems. Through maximum capacity utilization, the Council is gearing itself to continually exceed expectations. ZIMSEC carries out quality assessment to guarantee the quality of manpower for national development. It identifies potential talents, competencies and skills for future leaders of industry, commerce and government; feeds institutions of higher learning and the employment sector. ZIMSEC sets standards for levels of academic expertise of Zimbabwean nationals for use locally and internationally.
Advantages to the nation of having ZIMSEC
Indigenization of the curriculum would be guaranteed, ensuring that education was made relevant to the socio-economic environment. In particular teaching and assessment materials would be drawn from an environment with which learners are familiar and to which they can relate and apply their learning.
Economic considerations: government would be able to determine the levels of examination fees in accordance with the prevailing economic environment; the localization would stem the flow of foreign currency from the country.
Educational Consideration: transfer of skills (question setting, marking and grading) from foreigners to locals; increased confidence in the educational fields as locals became more and more confident in handling examination issues.
Political Considerations: localization ensures the end of colonial curricula in Zimbabwe.