Cabinet to decide on future of CALA next week
Staff Reporter
The issue of the Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALA) is expected to be discussed by the Cabinet next week. Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Torerai Moyo, addressed this during a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
In response to a question from Midlands Proportional Representative Cde Vairet Nhari regarding the high costs of CALA for parents and guardians, Dr Moyo agreed that the costs were high and that a review of the program would be considered.
Dr Moyo said, “It is true that parents have been spending a lot of money on CALA. It was even higher than tuition fees, especially in rural areas. So, the plan is to review the CALA issues as we review the competence-based curriculum that started working in 2015 up to 2022. This issue will be taken to Cabinet, chaired by His Excellency President Mnangagwa next week. The meeting will determine whether the CALA will be taken out or we review it. At the moment I would not be able to respond whether CALA will be removed or it will remain. I can only know that after Cabinet deliberations.”
Parents and guardians have expressed concerns about the high costs of CALA during public consultations conducted by the Ministry last year. They argued that it made learning difficult for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds who could not complete the required activities due to the financial burden. Some also expressed that they ended up completing the CALA assignments themselves instead of the learners.
The outcome of the Cabinet deliberations next week will determine the future of CALA in Zimbabwe’s education system.
Story originally done by Herald
