Bulilima villagers cry over Cala

Source: Bulilima villagers cry over Cala – The Southern Eye

VILLAGERS in Bulilima, in Matabeleland South have complained that the Continuous Learning Assessment module (Cala) is a drain on financial resources, and that it was mentally and physically straining pupils.

Cala is a learning activity or assessment that requires learners to perform, or demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency of a particular subject and constitutes 30% of a student’s final marks.

It was brought into the system by the Primary and Secondary Education ministry in 2021.

Bulilima villagers say they are struggling to keep up with Cala demands.

During a community discussion, Ilihlo Lemaphandleni Show, the villagers said the programme demanded a lot of resources and tasks for pupils.

 “Cala is an albatross around our necks because the assignments are too difficult even for adults. The ministry must scrap Cala because we are the ones doing it for the children,” one of the villagers, Duduzile Ndebele said.

 “Children should be able to do their own schoolwork, instead of us parents always having to help them by forking out money to photocopy items.”

Parents said school programmes should credit children for work they do on their own.

Baobab Education Assessment Centre founder, Themba Nyoni, said introducing Cala was a good idea but the problem was that before the programme was introduced, parents and guardians were not consulted.

“Cala is a brilliant idea but its implementation was poor as important stakeholders like teachers stumbled upon it and had to assist children deliver given tasks which teachers themselves do not fully understand. Some Cala tasks do not necessarily need to be photocopied but need to be physically relatable, especially in the rural areas,” Nyoni said.