The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is reviewing the implementation of the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALAs) following stakeholders’ recommendations to defer it as learners need more time to catch up on their school work.
CALAs were expected to be introduced at the beginning of the second term in preparation for the November 2021 Zimsec examinations. However, Government has deferred the opening of schools by 14 days, thereby leaving even less time for the implementation of the programme.
CALAs will see candidates’ physical and behavioural skills being assessed continuously through coursework that will contribute 30 percent to their final marks.
Chief Director (Secondary and Non-Formal Education) in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Peter Muzawazi, said they are reviewing the process following feedback from partners.
“There is constant review of the process and we are getting a lot of feedback from our partners. Pupils stand a better chance of scoring higher marks with CALAs but we need to roll this out properly,” said Mr Muzawazi.
He said the CALAs will develop the pupils’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are key to national development.
“It is a wonderful programme, a game changer in the education sector. We are the leading African country in making our education holistic,” said Mr Muzawazi.
School heads petitioned the Government to defer the implementation of the CALAs in light of the suspension of all face-to-face activities at learning institutions to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa, said even before the latest lockdown, the situation in schools was not ideal for the introduction of CALAs as pupils are lagging behind owing to school closures.
He said a holistic approach addressing pupils’ learning, social and emotional needs is crucial at this point.
Mr Maphosa said while his association is in full support of CALAs, the timing is wrong.
“CALAs has to be deferred to 2022, starting with the Grade Sixes, Form Threes and Lower Sixes of that year, otherwise anything else will be equal to fulfilling a fixture of a dead rubber game,” said Mr Maphosa.
