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The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) is a public institution established by an Act of Parliament in 1983. Its primary mandate is to set and conduct examinations and award certificates to successful candidates. The Council was created to replace the Examinations Section under the Ministry of Education and Culture, which previously administered the examinations in Zambia. Since its inception, the Examinations Council of Zambia has played a crucial role in the educational landscape of the country.

History
Before the establishment of the Examinations Council of Zambia, the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate in the United Kingdom served as the examining and awarding body for Zambia. However, due to the syndicate's examinations catering to multiple countries, they did not adequately address Zambia's specific needs in terms of curricula, syllabi, and regulations. As a result, there was a growing necessity to localize School Certificate examinations and develop the capacity to construct, administer, and mark these examinations within Zambia. This led to the creation of the Examinations Council of Zambia.

In 1987, the Examinations Council of Zambia was fully launched and operationalized as a semi-autonomous public institution, known as a parastatal. This organizational structure allowed the Council to carry out its functions independently while maintaining accountability to the government and the Ministry of Education.

Functions
The Examinations Council of Zambia is empowered by the Examinations Council of Zambia Act, No. 15 of 1983 to fulfill several key functions:


 * Conduct Examinations: The Council is responsible for setting and conducting examinations at various levels, including primary, secondary, and post-secondary education.
 * Process Results: After conducting examinations, the Council processes and analyzes the results, ensuring accuracy and fairness in the assessment process.
 * Award Certificates and Diplomas: Successful candidates who pass the examinations conducted by the Council receive certificates and diplomas to acknowledge their achievements.
 * Research in Examinations: The Council engages in relevant research to enhance the quality and effectiveness of examinations, ensuring they align with educational standards and best practices.
 * Advisory Role: The Council advises public institutions on the development and use of testing or examination systems when requested to do so, contributing its expertise and insights.
 * Syllabus Formulation: The Council formulates syllabuses for examinations, taking into consideration the educational needs and requirements of Zambia.
 * International Recognition: The Council promotes the international recognition of qualifications conferred by its examinations, ensuring that Zambian certificates are valued and respected worldwide.
 * Examiner Appointments: The Council approves or rejects the appointments of examiners, ensuring their competence and impartiality in assessing candidates.
 * Training and Development: The Council organizes training courses and arrangements for examiners, markers, supervisors, invigilators, and other personnel involved in the examination process, thereby fostering professional development.
 * Collaboration: The Council may invite individuals or organizations from within or outside Zambia to assist in the conduct of examinations, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration.