Gvt, schools urged to explain CALA
Fiona Mpofu
Failure to explain the newly introduced Continuous Accessment Learning Activities (CALA) to parents is at the root of challenges besetting the new education system. This came to light during a radio show hosted by Community Podium on Skyzmetro FM.
Guest on the weekly ‘Ilihlo lemaphendleni’ show, Dr Themba Nyoni, a remedial therapist from Baobab Educational Assessment Centre, emphasised that the ministry of education and schools continue to sideline parents who have to provide some of the required resources.
“There is no school that has invited parents to explain CALA to them. They only invite them to inform them of school fees increments and the need for parents to avail 24 books without explaining why they need those books,” said Nyoni.
He added that CALA is not a new concept as it has mostly been used in tertiary institutions where students are assigned some work that has to be accomplished over a given period of time.
“Not all students are good examination takers hence CALA came as an alternative, as a support structure to give students equal opportunities…it is unfair to judge a learner’s ability over two hours of writing an exam hence the introduction of CALA in schools is positive,” said Dr Nyoni.
Some parents who called into the show highlighted that they were struggling to assist their children with “tough” CALA tasks and the costs associated with the new system.
“CALA simply isn’t working for us. Before introducing it, government was supposed to ensure that all schools have access to the internet. In its current form, the system is useless and is a burden to us as parents because it requires a lot of money for data, printing and other requirements, ” said one listener.
Nyoni explained the importance of considering the socio-conomic environment and being pragmatic in the implementation of CALA, while citing an example of students possibly cutting costs by using sweet reeds as counting aides than having to print out books to help in counting.
Fortune Kays, a concerned parent called for the training of teachers on the implementation of CALA.
“The training of teachers should not only be done with those already on the ground but it also means change in teacher training curricula,” he said.
The recently introduced CALA has been fraught with teething problems such as catering for learners with special needs, allegations of corruption and the unpreparedness of teachers, students and parents.
