By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
THE Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) has launched an SMS Results Release System (SRRS) where candidates who sat for the 2013 grades seven, nine, and 12 examinations can access the results using their mobile phones.
ECZ information education and communication specialist Ronald Tembo said the SRRS exercise was launched last month but only candidates who sat for 2013 examinations could access the results using their mobile phones.
Mr  Tembo said the ECZ had decided to introduce the exercise to enable  candidates have enough time to register if they needed to rewrite some subjects .
“We launched this exercise to help candidates to avail them an opportunity to rewrite depending on their performance so that they can register before the deadline,” Mr Tembo said.
He said this was a good development as members of the public could access results before collecting their original transcripts.
For a candidate to access the results one needs to open the message pad on their mobile phone, then type the full 10 digit examination number and leave a space, examination year, grade and send to 8383.
Mr Tembo said said this service was only available to Zamtel subscribers at a cost of K4 for each successful transmission.
However, Mr Tembo advised members of the public with queries regarding the service to call 8383, a toll free line, or email info@exams-council.org or check its Facebook page.
Mr Tembo said at the moment only the 2013 results were being accessed on mobile phones but would in due course consider including other  results.
Mr Tembo said his institution had further started sensitising members of the public about this new service.
“We have also embarked on marketing this exercise and sensitizing  members of the public,” he said.
ECZ embarked on this project in March last year and decided to implement it this year which has so far proved efficient.