EDUCATION: MTSF pushes ahead with controversial annual assessments
by Johann Barnard,
2014-11-20 07:01:32.0
A PROCESS designed to tackle the severe problems in the state of basic education is being sidelined by union and political opposition.
The Annual National Assessments (ANA) process is meant to provide a guide of students’ and schools’ performance in basic numeracy and literacy.
Shortly after this year’s assessments were completed by about 7-million children in Grades 1-6 and Grade 9, the SA Democratic Teachers Union said the tests were intended to “label” teachers and schools as underperforming. Sadtu found an unlikely ally for its criticism of the ANAs in the Democratic Alliance, which argued that it is not reflective of reality as teachers focus primarily on teaching for the tests.
The NDP proposes that 90% of learners in grades 3, 6 and 9 must achieve at least 50% in the ANA. The medium-term strategic framework states that the ANA must be used to track improvements in teaching and learning, and that a policy on universal verification and analysis be published by year-end. It also wants pilot ANA testing in this financial year followed by a report on the validity of these tests. The annual results from the ANA tests should also be produced by June next year, including district-level reporting.
Contrary to the NDP stating that incentive schemes be linked to the ANAs to reward schools for consistent improvements, the department of basic education says the test is not meant to incentivise schools. “It is a diagnostic tool used to identify where challenges with curriculum coverage or implementation exist and to assist to develop strategies to address those challenges,” it wrote in response to questions.
The results from the 2013 ANA tests make for sobering reading. The overall results are a mixed bag of slight improvements countered by retreating scores across the board compared to 2012.
Results aside, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) clearly needs to do more on the credibility of these tests as well as maintaining momentum. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said at the release of the 2013 results that Grade 9 tests showed that more effort was required. She proposed that the test be extended this year to Grades 7 and 8, which did not happen.
Picture: THINKSTOCK
A PROCESS designed to tackle the severe problems in the state of basic education is being sidelined by union and political opposition.
The Annual National Assessments (ANA) process is meant to provide a guide of students’ and schools’ performance in basic numeracy and literacy.
Shortly after this year’s assessments were completed by about 7-million children in Grades 1-6 and Grade 9, the SA Democratic Teachers Union said the tests were intended to “label” teachers and schools as underperforming. Sadtu found an unlikely ally for its criticism of the ANAs in the Democratic Alliance, which argued that it is not reflective of reality as teachers focus primarily on teaching for the tests.
The NDP proposes that 90% of learners in grades 3, 6 and 9 must achieve at least 50% in the ANA. The medium-term strategic framework states that the ANA must be used to track improvements in teaching and learning, and that a policy on universal verification and analysis be published by year-end. It also wants pilot ANA testing in this financial year followed by a report on the validity of these tests. The annual results from the ANA tests should also be produced by June next year, including district-level reporting.
Contrary to the NDP stating that incentive schemes be linked to the ANAs to reward schools for consistent improvements, the department of basic education says the test is not meant to incentivise schools. “It is a diagnostic tool used to identify where challenges with curriculum coverage or implementation exist and to assist to develop strategies to address those challenges,” it wrote in response to questions.
The results from the 2013 ANA tests make for sobering reading. The overall results are a mixed bag of slight improvements countered by retreating scores across the board compared to 2012.
Results aside, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) clearly needs to do more on the credibility of these tests as well as maintaining momentum. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said at the release of the 2013 results that Grade 9 tests showed that more effort was required. She proposed that the test be extended this year to Grades 7 and 8, which did not happen.
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