CONSULTATIONS on the possible reduction in the number of Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) subjects in schools have begun following complaints from both teachers and parents, an official has said.
CALA was first introduced in the 2021 public examinations for Grade Seven, Form Four and Upper Sixth learners as part of the new curriculum adopted in 2015.
Under the new regime, learners work on projects, whose marks constitute 30 percent of the final exam grades.
In primary school, the projects start during the second term of Grade Six.
Overall, learners are expected to complete 30 components before sitting the Grade Seven exam.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy Mr Taungana Ndoro said consultations are underway.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has been reviewing the curriculum since 2022, and is continuously reviewing the curriculum to find out how we can improve it,” he said.
“Remember that the curriculum cycle ended in 2022, having started in 2015, and we are currently collecting feedback and then, when we have all the feedback, we are able to advise if there is a need to reduce the number of CALA subjects that learners are obliged to take.
“This can only be done after massive consultations . . .”
National Association of Secondary Heads president Mr Arthur Maphosa said revisiting CALA is necessary.
“As schools, we have always said one CALA or at most three CALAs per subject are enough, because five per subject are too much,” he said. – Sunday Mail
