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Form One entrance and assessment tests have in recent years been shrouded in controversy — with some praising schools for coming up with a screening barometer, while others are of the opinion that they were nothing but a money-spinning venture by unscrupulous school heads.
The uproar prompted the Government to impose a blanket ban on entrance tests.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education argues that it took the decision after receiving complaints “that parents are subjected to unnecessary financial burden through the payment of non-refundable entrance test fees”. It further argues that the practice is discriminatory and violates the provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Education Act.
The ministry cited Chapter 4, Part 2, Section 56, Subsection (3), of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which says “every person has a right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner…”
The Education Act 2006: Chapter 25:04 provides that every child in Zimbabwe has the right to education; no child shall be refused admission to any school or be discriminated against by the imposition of onerous conditions with regards to admission to any school on the grounds of race, tribe, place of origin, national or ethnic origin, political opinion, colour, creed or gender.
It is our view that the ethical conduct of some school authorities leaves a lot to be desired, as they cashed in on such corrupt activities. They were milking parents of their little disposable income. Schools were charging between $20 and $200 for pupils to go through the selection processes.
Some schools invited up to 3 000 interviewees, yet they could accommodate a 10th.
Surely such madness justified some kind of intervention by the education authorities.
The practice was undemocratic, parasitic and discriminatory. It was tantamount to commercialising a process that every kid had an entitlement to. However, the fact that there were some bad apples — bent on making a killing within the system — does not make the whole process of entrance and assessment tests evil.
These tests are designed to measure students’ aptitude and help school authorities evaluate how ready students are for secondary education.
Entrance exams have become a part of modern life and it is nigh impossible for a Form One pupil to avoid them given the standards that some of these schools have set for themselves. The concept of entrance exam has come as a wonderful tool in the hands of school authorities to measure the ability of students. Such tests check the knowledge base of students, their presence of mind, control and mastery of basic concepts. Their purpose is to separate the grain from the chaff.
Entrance exams are always impartial in nature and their aim is to select the best students for the task ahead by revealing the preparation and sincerity of the candidates. Irrespective of the institution, one looks forward to, do bear in mind that it is keen on extracting the cream from the diluted whole, because everyone looks forward to the best of the lot. Therefore, imposing a blanket ban on these tests is counterproductive. The argument for banning them is that schools were ripping off parent. Agreed. But, as a way forward, why not make the process free? If entrance fee was day light robbery, then who will steal what when the process is free?
Besides being focused on the ‘‘best’’, free entrance tests will serve respective schools to conform to their seat limit.
In order to realise it, there has to be a tool of elimination and the purpose of entrance tests is to serve as a powerful tool of screening.
We must also remember that it is the parents who voluntarily approach a number of schools seeking places for their children. These parents have selected schools they wish to enrol their children at. They will be hunting for quality.
Banning entrance tests will not make school places at those schools that offer quality education available.
The ministry must come up with strategies to improve the quality of education, especially at Government schools so that demand for places at the few top performing schools is diluted.
Online Reporter