KIMBERLY KUSAUKA
HARARE–Parents at Tafara 2 High School have rejected the Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA) saying the country’s economy is not ready for such resource intensive activities.
The parents said this today (23-05-23) during a National Curriculum review consultation by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which began on Monday countrywide.
Makomborero Tafirenyika, a parent at the school who was attending the meeting rejected the new curriculum as a whole raising a concern that they are the ones who are now burdened with doing CALA for their children as it is time consuming and requires a lot of resources to execute.
‘‘As a parent I am the one who do all the CALA tasks as they are very difficult especially for our primary and secondary children, on the other hand the data cost is getting high every day as the internet providers are always reviewing data tariffs more frequently,’’ said Tafirenyika.
The competence based curriculum review is being done to replace the current one which has been in place for the past seven years and the new one will be in place for the same number of years beginning next year.
The curriculum is aimed at tooling the learners with technologically based skills in order to fit into the 21st Century life.
Another parent who preferred anonymity said that the new curriculum is creating a wedge between children from rural and urban areas as they are given different questions according to their geographical location.
‘‘Since the questions differ from the children in rural areas and urban areas it means that some are learning more technological skills while others focus on things they live with on a daily basis,’’ said the parent.
Another parent who identified himself as Mr Mutsa said the government has to blend the old learning system which was there seven years back with the new one since the children are not copying with the new curriculum.
‘‘I think the old curriculum was the best where the children would solely do their homework and only seek little help from the parents, the CALA is not conforming with the dying economy we have at the moment in the country,’’ said Mutsa.
The chairperson for Tafara 2 High School National Curriculum Review consultation committee only identified as Madam Meda also complained about the new curriculum and encouraged parents to fully participate so that their concerns are taken on board.
‘‘The new curriculum is not easy even for us teachers there is too much work which come with CALA but the meeting is going to make sure that all your concerns are heard and taken to the Ministry,’’ said Meda.
The National Curriculum review consultations are going on in all schools in the country where the teachers are chairing the discussions by reading out questions and explaining so that the parents would easily understand and correctly respond to the questions.
Progressive Teachers Union in Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Dr Takavafira Zhou said the Ministry is failing to follow the proper channel when conducting curriculum review consultations where they are supposed to talk to teachers unions and teachers first as they are the key stakeholders.
“While it is important for teachers, learners and parents to turn up for curriculum review consultations, it is prudent to note that the curriculum review process is a sham, greatest betrayal of reviewing curriculum, hap-hazardous meddling and muddling process.
“It is a fait accompli process rapidly done to legitimize results drafted in offices at head office. It lacks appropriate consultation of important stakeholders from preliminary stages such as teachers, teacher-unions that are critical in implementing successful curriculum review.
“Teachers, parents and pupils are only consulted at the last stage instead of from preliminary stages and without guided questions that are limited in scope, prejudiced and narrow-minded in scope,” said Dr Zhou.
