The controversial Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) has been cancelled by the government and replaced with completely new, school-based projects with practical effects.
While students in Forms 1-4 will have five learning areas, primary school students will now be offered a maximum of six learning areas rather than the minimum of 27, as was previously the case.
Government said it is also working on the provision of conducive teaching and learning infrastructure in rural areas, small-scale and commercial farming areas as well as old and new resettlement areas.
Speaking after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Cabinet received and approved the Heritage-Based Education 2024-2030 presented by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira, as the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Human Capital Development, Skills Development and Application.
Noteworthy is that the number of areas covered by the non-examination process has been reduced from about eight to one for each subject.
“Pertinent issues in the learning programmes infrastructure include rationalisation of learning areas and strengthening the school-based continuous assessment.
“At infant level (ECD A to Grade 2), learning areas are being reduced from the previous 11 to six.
“The reduction will also apply at junior level in Grades 3 to 7. At the secondary school level, the core and compulsory learning areas are being reduced from seven to five. An inclusive and integrated approach will be used to cater for learners with special needs, including thorough provision of assistive devices,” Dr Muswere said.
The review of the assessment modalities and tools would entail the rationalisation of CALA activities, now denoted as school-based projects, which emphasise the learner being observed carrying out the practical aspects at school.
It had been envisaged that the identification of pathways would be implemented early when enrolling learners for secondary education to cater for differences in talent and ability.
“Learners at secondary school level will study at least three electives from the following categories: the sciences, languages, humanities, commercials, technical and vocational, and physical education and arts.