This is according to the DA shadow minister of basic education, Nomsa Marchesi, who engaged the parents and community of Koffiefontein after schools were affected by protests that broke out last year. Learning and teaching in this mining town was disrupted in October 2018 at the height of violent service delivery protests, with community members calling for the mayor, Thandiwe Reachable, to step down.

Meanwhile, learners have for the past two weeks been revising the 2018 academic work and have not started with the 2019 curriculum. The Free State Department of Education’s spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, has indicated that Grade 4 to 11 leaners who were affected by the shutdown of schools must all write examinations. This despite concerns expressed by the parents and principals in the area on reasons that the writing of exams will place the learners under immense pressure. Marchesi told OFM News that the situation in the town is worrisome and needs to be brought under the attention of the Minister as the provincial department has in her view handled it poorly.

The Free State Department of Education’s spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, previously told OFM News that the Schools Based Assessment (SBA), commonly known as the year mark, cannot be used to progress the learners to the next class as it only amounts to a certain percentage in the different grades. Ndaba, said they have noted the concerns raised by the parents regarding prolonged hours and pressure the learners will be subjected to, amongst other things, but maintained learners will have to write exams.

He highlighted that grade 1-3 learners will not write exams because according to their policy their SBA counts 100% and are not compelled to write exams, while it counts 75% in grade 4-6, 60% in grade 7-9, and only 25% for grade 10-11.

The 2019 curriculum for schools in this town is expected to kick off on March 4.

OFM News