CALA review next week

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

The Government will next week conduct a national curriculum review meeting involving various stakeholders and is already carrying out preparations through training officials that will lead the process.

This was said by Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Edgar Moyo in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Deputy Minister Moyo said this following concerns by legislators that Continuous Assessment Learning Areas (CALA), that was introduced recently was burdening pupils and needed to be reviewed.

“Currently, we are running a curriculum review process. This week we are finishing the training for people to conduct the reviews. I think, next week on the 16th, that is when we are going to have the national review session which is going to run nationally in all settings,” he said.

“It is there that we expect to receive recommendations from different stakeholders on how to view the entire curriculum including this formative examination situation which we call CALA.

“On the issue of packaging the assignments that are given to students, our school heads and teachers have been trained to package the assignments into manageable units not to choke the children by giving them everything at once.

“If that is happening, it is happening against the policy of Government. We expect them to package the assignment into manageable units so that our children are given a period of time when that activity is taking place.”

Deputy Minister Moyo said observations made by legislators should be taken on board during the review meeting, adding if there was need, further training for teachers would be carried out to streamline the CALA to make it manageable for pupils.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), introduced CALA in 2021 as a candidate assessment procedure that requires pupils to perform, demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency in their learning areas before the main exam.

Candidates’ academic aptitude is assessed continuously (coursework) to contribute 30 percent to their final marks with summative or knowledge skills assessed during examinations contributing 70 percent to the candidate’s final grade.

Deputy Minister Moyo warned headmasters at schools that are sending home pupils for non-payment of fees and demanding that fees be paid exclusively in US dollars that they would face disciplinary measures.

“We have sent teams to some schools that I will not name to interview pupils (on whether they are attending lessons) and teachers with a view to charge those that are found wanting,” he said.

Deputy Minister Moyo also said while Government had allowed schools to peg fees in US dollars as a cushion against inflation, it was illegal to demand that payment be made solely in the foreign currency.

“The fees can be paid in US dollars or in the local currency on the prevailing interbank rate on the day but it is illegal to demand foreign currency,” he said.

Schools opened for the second term on Monday this week.