Source: 20 nursing trainees dismissed over fake O-Level certificates – herald
Zimpapers Reporter
TWENTY nursing trainees have been dismissed from Government and mission training institutions over the past five years after they were found to have used forged Ordinary Level certificates, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.
Responding during Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, Dr Mombeshora said the dismissals followed verification audits that exposed cases of academic fraud.
“The prevalence of fraudulent certificates over the past five years was 14 for registered general nurses (RGNs) and six for primary care nurses (PCNs),” he said.
The audit identified 14 RGNs who had submitted forged credentials.
The highest number of cases was recorded at Mpilo Central Hospital and Chitungwiza Central Hospital, which each had three cases, while Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals recorded two.
The remaining cases were reported at Morgenster Mission Hospital, Gutu Mission Hospital, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Bonda Mission Hospital, St Theresa Mission Hospital and Muvonde Mission Hospital, which each recorded one case.
The audit also revealed six PCNs who had submitted forged Ordinary Level certificates.
Silveira Mission Hospital recorded the highest number of cases, with three trainees found to have submitted fraudulent credentials.
The other three cases were reported at Murambinda Mission Hospital, Bonda Mission Hospital and Sanyati Mission Hospital, with each facility recording one case.
Dr Mombeshora said the recruitment process includes an initial vetting stage where human resources officers inspect original certificates presented by shortlisted candidates.
However, he acknowledged that physical inspection alone may not detect sophisticated forgeries.
“During interviews, shortlisted candidates are asked to bring original O-Level certificates, which are checked by human resources (HR) officers,” he said.
“However, HR officers may not be able to detect forged certificates. When successful candidates report for training, their certificates are sent to Zimsec (Zimbabwe School Examinations Council) for verification, and a fee of US$7 is paid by the candidate for each certificate.”
Dr Mombeshora said once a certificate is confirmed to be forged, the matter is treated as a criminal offence.
“Once a candidate is confirmed to have a forged certificate, the case is referred to the police and the penalty is determined by the courts,” he said.
“The respective school of nursing then conducts its own assessment and dismisses the student for submitting fraudulent certificates through the Ministry of Health and Child Care assessment committee.”
The post 20 nursing trainees dismissed over fake O-Level certificates appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.