MBOMBELA – Thousands of parents in the Lowvelder are in the dark about whether their children will eventually participate in the controversial Annual National Assessment (ANA) before the end of this year.
ANA is administered by the Department of Basic Education, on an annual basis, to assess the level of performance of learners in the two key areas of the school curriculum literacy and numeracy.
Four teacher unions and the department of basic education are at loggerheads about the manner in which the assessment are being conducted. As a result, the unions have requested their members not to administer the assessment in December.
The provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), Mr Walter Hlayise said all teachers were united in opposing ANA.
“It is not that we don’t want it, but what we are saying it that they must introduce it in a model that would be sustainable. We are going to meet as teachers so that we can find ways to approach this matter because the minister of basic education Ms Angie Motshekga said the learners will write ANA in December.”
Mr Paul Colditz, CEO of Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) said concerns raised by the teachers were legitimate. “They have legitimate concerns about the manner in which the assessments are being conducted, as do we. Our concerns are on different levels and I believe that not all officials, teachers, and politicians understand the intention and purpose of the assessments. “Once there is a common understanding and approach, I believe the differences can be ironed out and an improved system can be developed.”
Sadtu in particular has called for the minister of education to remodel the assessment. Colditz also believe that a diagnostic tool or systemic evaluation is essential.
“Thus far we have only had the matriculation results as an indication of how the system and learners are performing. And despite what some people think or may say we all know that it paints a dismal picture of failure, inadequacies, and despair. It is necessary that we intervene at the earliest possible stage but we need to know how, where and what to do.”
Colditz sais there should therefore be some sort of assessment to determine exactly what should be done and not to leave it to guesswork. “It is quite obvious that one cannot expect the model or tool to be perfect from the outset but we must learn, discuss, communicate and remodel as we go along. To simply do away with any form of systemic evaluation will amount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater, added,” Colditz.
The Minister of Basic Education Ms Angie Motshekga, has reiterated that students will sit for the assessment in December without or without the unions.
