The 2009 examination period is almost coming to a close. Those who are writing grade nine examination will be having their last English Paper III next Friday.

There are also some colleges and universities that are in the process of administering examinations and come second week of December, it will all be Festive Season and nothing to worry about exams. I can’t wait for this moment because I will be having less to talk about exams except on how to prepare for success in the 2010 exams. I don’t normally enjoy the examination period because of the so many calls and text messages coming through my phone and I can confess that I have been unable to return some due to limited time and resources. Nevertheless, keep on sending the text messages as they give me a picture of your study, learning and examination experiences.

So far, so good in as far as the 2009 examinations are concerned. This is not to say all has been well but at least there has been a significant reduction in reported cases of examination malpractice compared to the previous years. The Examination Council of Zambia deserves a pat on its back from all education loving citizens.

During the past years, the high levels of examination malpractice had become cancer to our education system. Most people were beginning to doubt the credibility of the certificates issued by the Zambian Institutions and examination bodies due to the high levels of reported cases of examination malpractice. I mean, our education system had become a serious national embarrassment. It is also an established fact that due to high levels of examination malpractice, it was a common trend among some pupils and students to register for exams and later disengage themselves from serious studying and learning hoping to secure examination leakages during the examination time. This in turn had contributed to indolence and laziness among students hoping against hope that luck would be on their side lest the examination leak. In other words, some pupils and students were not prepared to work and they hardly studied and prepared for exams. This in the end made a fool of those who genuinely worked hard to pass examinations.

With the turn of events in this year’s exams there is likely to be some seriousness among learners when it comes to studying and learning. At least for once over a longer period of time, the Examination Council of Zambia should be commended for putting stringent measures to safe guard the integrity of our examination system. This year’s reduced levels of examination malpractice will mark a turning point in our education system. Those of us who had cast doubts on the credibility of the Zambian certificates will now begin to appreciate them. The turn of events will also be a lesson to those who have been waiting for the examination period to display their financial muscles by securing examination leakages instead of working hard to study. Honestly, there are some pupils and students who were spending their time and energy planning how to cheat.

In order to further safeguard the integrity of our examination system, the Examination Council of Zambia must continue re-branding their system by ensuring the complete eradication of examination theft and making it hard for those who are championing the crusade of the malpractice. Also parents have a lot to do by discouraging their children from partaking in examination fraud; examination passed through fraudulent act should not be encouraged.

Parents must play their God-given role of breeding children with good morals that will be tomorrow’s leader, parents should know that they have the responsibility of inculcating in their children the right attitude that will help them in the future.

This struggle is for all pupils, students, government, proprietors, police and all education loving citizens of Zambia. Let us fight examination malpractice. If the right thing is done today, the right result will be achieved in the near future.

Read more on examination techniques next Saturday. May God bless you. Remember to get yourself a copy of EXAMS MADE EASY book. The book is now available at all Times Print Park and ZEPH book shops around the country, Book World, Sarnia Stationary Shop, The Top Shop and Words, Sounds and Gifts in Lusaka. In Chipata, get a copy from U-Save Suppliers and IP home and office furniture. In Kabwe, get a copy from Grace Centre Bookshop.


The author is the Principal at Great North Road Academy and an exam consultant for Exams Made Easy Educational Consultants. For motivational talks, consultancy, questions and contributions, email: or text me on 095 – 5592320