Pretoria – The controversial Annual National Assessments (ANA) have been reviewed and it will no longer be necessary for them to be undertaken on an annual basis, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has said.
Motshekga said the remodelled assessment was now called the National Integrated Assessment Framework, which would be administered only for Grade 3, 6 and 9 every three years.
“This will provide the basic education sector, especially those involved in planning and evaluation, with valuable data on the health of the system and trends in learner performance,” she said when she presented her budget in Parliament on Wednesday.
She said the remodelled assessment would be piloted in October 2017, and implemented in 2018.
“Consultations with our social partners are set to be concluded by the end of June 2017 on the diagnostic assessment and summative examination,” Motshekga said.
She also said the new model for national assessment would give the department ample time to remediate before the next assessment.
“The assessment overload is obviated by the administration of the national assessment in selected grades – and not on an annual basis,” she said.
Speaking to the media before the budget presentation, Motshekga said a costed project plan for implementation in the next three years was approved last year by director-general Mathanzima Mweli.
The department has for years been criticised by teacher unions over the administration, the frequency and other concerns with regard to ANA.
Motshekga said the decision to review the ANA followed the department’s own issues with the system.
She also announced that the department was considering establishing a national examination council (NEC), independent of the national and provincial departments.
“The research will help us understand the best practice model of countries that have set up an NEC relating to public examinations.”
Motshekga said the study would focus on the cost implications of establishing the NEC and the design model to be pursued.
“We are looking forward to reporting back to you when a final decision has been made”
According to Motshekga, the current examination system was efficient and credible, but a separate and independent body other than Umalusi was needed.
“We feel there is a need, that’s why we are investigating whether to follow international trends.”
She said Umalusi would still remain an independent body.
“We think there is merit in an examination body for credibility of results. In the long run, if we can afford it and there is agreement to it, is a step in the right direction.”
She also said the Independent Examination Board (IEB) would continue serving private schools.
“I can’t deny private schools an independent exam body. Our public schools are not examined by IEB, which is moderated by Umalusi.”