The students have also repeated their demands for the Examination Council of Zambia to revert the institution as an examination center as opposed to TAVETA.

Police in riot gear sealed most roads in the city as slogan chanting students who earlier sought audience with Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge continued with their protest.

The students are also demanding that the Examination Council of Zambia be brought back as an examination center as opposed to TAVETA.

The student union representatives are currently meeting TEVETA officials over the matter.

Police in riot gear have sealed most roads in the city as slogan chanting students who earlier sought audience with Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge have continued with their protest.

On Tuesday this week, protesting students alleged that security features on the TEVETA certificate have reduced leaving room for anyone to easily forge and disadvantage them after completing school.

The students are also demanding that the Examination Council of Zambia be brought back as an examination center as opposed to TAVETA.

The students alleged that security features have reduced on the certificate leaving room for anyone to easily forge and disadvantage them after completing school.

The students stormed the office of Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge who, however, assured to help address the matter.

The pupils claim that these people have no regard for their safety as they trespass with vehicles within the school.

Some teachers at the school have expressed similar concerns.

This is one of the key components in the new curriculum framework.

Launching the framework in Lusaka, Education Minister John Phiri said the pilot project is being tried in four districts effective January to April 2013.

He expressed hope of implementation once the framework has been evaluated.

The Secondary School Teacher’s Union of Zambia-SESTUZ says the 10 percentage drop in grade nine results pass rate has sent a signal that all is not well in the education sector.

SESTUZ General Secretary Wamuyuwa Sitibekiso says the several factors that has led to the poor performance of the grade nines should compel government to seriously address the problem.

He cited lack of learning materials in Basic Schools, lack of qualified staff and poor Infrastructure as some of the reasons that have led to the record of lower percentage pass rates.

The grade nine examination results pass rate at national level has dropped from last year’s 44.9 to 34.6 percent.

And a total number of 100,824 pupils have been selected to grade 10 in the year 2013.

Meanwhile many Guardians are disappointed with the poor results obtained by grade nine’s.

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And a total number of 284,603 have been selected into grade eight countrywide giving a progression rate of 93.49 percent compared to 93.80 percent recorded in 2011.

Countrywide the total number of boys who passed is 149,016 while that of girls is 135,587.

Education Minister Dr. John Phiri says a total number of 119 leaners with special education needs have also been selected to grade eight from a total of 120 who entered the examination giving a progression rate of 99.17 percent.

Dr. Phiri also says three teachers who were involved in examination malpractice have been suspended and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia has commended teachers for their hard work.

General Secretary Jeffrey Simuntala says teachers have managed to record a good pass rate despite working under difficult conditions.

Some residents of Namushakende where the construction of the King Lewanika University is earmarked say many developmental pronouncements have been made by politicians but have never materialized.

And Western Province Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala reveals that a committee has since been set up to spearhead events leading to the construction of the two projects.

Mr. Mushala has disclosed that consultations with the Barotse Royal Establishment will soon be commenced to identify  particular locations for the two infrastructures.

So far 48 pupils have been arrested barely a day after 22 others were nabbed.

Zambia Police Service spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the 38 pupils are from Mabumba basic and Samfya secondary schools.

She further said a teacher from a named private school has also been arrested in connection with the examination malpractices.

Meanwhile Ms Kanjela also said another person and two pupils have been arrested in Lusaka from city centre academy.

She said the head teacher of the school only identified as Mr. Zilambo is said to be on the run after he was mentioned to be part of the deal by the arrested pupils.

The GCE students allegedly paid over Eight-Hundred-Thousand Kwacha each to a Head Teacher of the School but were shocked to be told that they were not legitimate candidates.

The students, who went on rampage throwing stones and blocking roads forced police officers to fire tear gas canisters.

Owner of the school Patrick Zulu says he did not know that his headteacher had collected money from such a high number of people wishing to re-write the grade twelve exams.

He further says the Head Teacher is in police custody in connection with the same issue.