Lisa Isaacs
A LETTER addressed to Western Cape principals says the Annual National Assessments (ANAs) are optional in the province.
With a Western Cape Education Department (WCED) letterhead, and department head Penny Vinjevold signage, it says principals should “consider administering the ANAs to the relevant pupils” if their programme for the rest of the term allows this.
“The WCED will not conduct any standardisation processes, nor will schools be required to report on the results of the ANAs,” it says.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has meanwhile said it is not aware of the letter and that all provinces must write the tests by December 4.
Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the ANAs were not voluntary.
“We have instructed schools to administer ANAs anytime between today and December 4. We have given them the latitude to rearrange their activities in order to accommodate the writing.”
National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA provincial chairperson Moses Standaar said having the assessments at this time of the year was impractical, with most pupils in the middle of their year-end exams.
“All unions are united in resolving to not write the ANAs,” he said.
The WCED did not respond to requests for comment.