CALA–the way to go

Charles Dube, Highway to Success

WELCOME to Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA). This is the most talked about subject in education circles these days. Most learners in the examination classes are engrossed in the tasks on various subjects.

Most learners have been busy doing the tasks as assigned by their teachers throughout this holiday.

Sadly though, there are gaps in certain areas as one teacher from a certain district expressed ignorance of such an exercise. In fact, what he was saying was that they had not started anything on the tasks. What is clear is that whenever they start these activities next term, they would be late. They would be rushing against time compromising the quality of the learners’ work. One thing for sure is that the die is cast. There is no reversal of the programme.

As is always the case when something new is introduced there will always be an outcry as to when something should have been instituted. It is best to put the system in motion and address the complaints along the way. There will always be disgruntled voices and if entertained there will be no progress. My advice to learners is that they should actively partake in the activities demanded by the tasks. There is no use in relying on what other people have done or have seen.

Tasks require that learners should state their observations depending on what has been asked. This makes it a must that learners should be directly involved on what would be happening. They cannot rely on other people’s observations. For example, if a task demands that you write about non adherence to Covid-19 protocols you should make sure you write exactly what you see around you or in other public places.

The process goes on, if you are to interview people go ahead and do it. Get the concerned people’s views as to why some are not wearing masks. You might get effective answers from the horse’s mouth that have guessed responses.

At times it easy to tell fake responses from actual responses. Learners should understand that this new educational thrust prepares them for the future. Tasks help learners acquire research skills which are necessary at higher learning.

When learners get to higher learning institutions, they will be equipped with basic research skills. They will be having knowledge on the crafting and writing of projects unlike before where one met such aspects of learning at college. Of course, this seems to have taken long to come but such activities used to take place in practical subjects.

This is not really new to some subjects.

Some learners have fears when it comes to going out carrying out research. I have heard some saying they are afraid of being beaten up by some members of the public whey they interview them. With such fears learners might not be free to ask and get the answers they require. I am also getting a feeling of fears of child abuse in this exercise. This is on the negative side which cannot be totally ruled out.

However, I believe that the public understands issues of education and disciplined learners will get the help they require. Let us all be optimistic about it rather than pessimists who always look on the negative side all the time.

Times are hard and this is an open secret to all and sundry. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit all aspects of life and brought about uncertainty. School fees have risen to astronomic levels. But these are the times and parents and guardians have soldiered on and made sure that learners continue going to school.

But the question one may ask is – are learners aware of the sacrifices made by their parents? The Covid-19 has brought about breaks in the educational sector such that learners have been forced by circumstances to proceed to next levels of learning without fulfilling the previous levels requirements. To the gifted learners this has not been a problem as they quickly adjust to the demands of the new stages. The majority are struggling and the unfortunate thing is that many learnings have adopted the culture of playing rather than seeing the need of getting serious with their education since they are behind.

This is where the question posed becomes pertinent. Parents and guardians should come in here and assist schools as they try to bring in sanity to schools. The effects of the unavoidable lockdowns are still to be seen. It is imperative everybody adheres to the Covid-19 protocols as prescribed by health authorities to avoid situations whereby schools are closed indefinitely. There are some who love this oblivious of the negative repercussions.

Learners go to school and learn – that is your mandate. Let your key objective be to learn and achieve good grades than to go to school and become a nuisance. Say no to alcohol and drugs. This is a scourge likely to affect schools because of (I will repeat) unavoidable lockdowns.

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