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The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) has begun implementing the scrapping of CALA projects for Grade Six learners.
National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) proposed that Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA) projects for Grade Six learners be suspended saying it is too much work for the pupils which MOPSE considered.
Speaking at the Naph conference which started on Sunday in Victoria Falls, Naph president Mrs Cynthia Khumalo who is head for Chinotimba Primary School in Victoria Falls said CALA must be scrapped for Grade Six pupils.
“Continuous Assessment Learning Activity is an excellent way of assessing the learners but its administration needs fine tuning. The scenario where a 13-year-old produces 30 projects is on the higher side. At university only one project is produced and so we suggest that one component per subject is enough starting at Grade Seven level,” said Khumalo.
Khumalo said the payment of Grade 7 examination fees should not be treated as school fees where parents pay every term at Grade Six level.
The Naph President implored Zimsec to set aside a budget for administration of examinations.
“At Ordinary and Advanced Level they pay only once. Can the same be done to the Grade Seven as administration of the fund is difficult at school as we are short-staffed,” added the Naph leader.
Khumalo urged teachers to invest in research to come out with an acceptable model.
The National Association of Primary School Heads also encouraged schools to embark on income generating projects to be self-sustaining and emulate those that have joined the Schools for Economic Development (Schools4ED).
Khumalo added that schools should desist from age cheating which is rampant especially in sporting activities, saying the association will soon resort to naming and shaming schools and individuals that are corrupt.
Schools face many challenges such as delays in payment of Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) money, delays in recruitment of teachers and failure to pay a living wage to teachers according to Mrs Khumalo.
Different stakeholders dealing in different kinds of services exhibited on the sidelines of the conference which started on Sunday ending Wednesday.
Over 1 200 school heads are attending the conference.
Full of many projects for kids who now carry bags full of books like University students, CALA was first implemented for the Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six 2021 public examinations candidates though it is part of the 2015 adopted new curriculum. The implementation of CALA had to be set aside due to lack of resources until last year. Pupils under CALA work on projects which are then awarded marks and the CALA marks constitute 30 percent of the final exam mark.
CALA projects Develop pupils who demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency of the given subject.
Grade Seven candidates, CALA projects start during the Second Term in Grade Six and learners are expected to complete 30 components in the two years before they sit for the Grade Seven final examination.
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