Question NW3689 to the Minister of Basic Education

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19 October 2015 - NW3689

Profile picture: Carter, Ms D

Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether her department will consider standardising all examination papers throughout all government schools in order to promote an equitable environment for all learners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Standardising all tests across all Government schools is an ideal; however, there are practical realities that dictate the extent to which this can be done. The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) initiative to set national tests (ANA) for Grades 1-9 is a step in this direction, so that models of good assessment are placed in every class, but this is only limited to Literacy (Language) and Numeracy (Mathematics). The DBE is also piloting the setting of common examinations in Mathematics and Physical Science in Grades 10 and 11. The costs and logistics of doing the same for all subjects could be prohibitive. Subject advisors and other curriculum specialists play a critical role in building the capacity of teachers in high quality assessment. In addition, the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) document provides clear guidelines for assessment in each of the grades and this assists teachers in this regard.

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