Examination body records 2.8% rise in candidates sitting for exams

The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) has recorded an increase in the number of candidates wishing to sit for the 2023 examinations by 2.8 percent.

Executive Director, Michael Chilala, disclosed this during a media briefing on Wednesday in Lusaka.

Chilala said a total of 1,265,842 have registered for 2023 examinations at all levels compared to 1,231,248 registered in 2022.

This represents a 2.8 percent increase respectively.

He said the largest increase in candidature was in the school certificate examinations, which increased by 30.8 percent in 2022.

“A total of 982,384 candidates registered for the 2023 grade seven, nine and 12 examinations compared to 928,013 who registered in 2022.

“This reflected an increase in candidature by 54,371 or 5.85 percent in 2022 candidature, the largest increase in school grade 12 examination, which increased by 39,196 candidates or 30.8 percent in 2022,” Chilala said.

He said there is a significant increase in female registration as compared to the male and this has been attributed to the dominance of the female demographic and other aligned government efforts to enhance girl child education.

Chilala said the ECZ has increased the number of trained markers for the 2023 examinations, stating that the total number of markers is currently at 4,255, adding that this will translate into improved quality of marking.

“The training included the following subjects: english language, mathematics, geography, civic education,science, history, commerce, religious education and principles of accounts.

“We wish to express our appreciation to the headteachers of the schools that sponsored their teachers for training in marking,” he said.

Chilala has reiterated calls for candidates whose results are nullified due to examination malpractice to follow laid down procedures of protesting in an effort to uphold sanity in the sector.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.