CALA debate heads to Cabinet
THE Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities is expected to come under Cabinet consideration next week where a decision on whether to review the programme or drop it completely will be made, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Torerai Moyo, has said.
Dr Moyo said this in the National Assembly during its Question and Answer time on Wednesday.
He said this while responding to a question by Midlands Proportional Representative Cde Vairet Nhari on what Government was doing to address the high costs to parents and guardians for their children to complete CALA.
“The money being spent by parents to fulfil the CALA requirements is much more than the school fees being paid. Parents are not happy with the way teachers are conducting CALA. What can be done to alleviate the situation?”
Dr Moyo agreed that the costs for CALA were high and said Cabinet would deliberate on the issue next week when it is expected to meet for the first time this year.
“It is true that parents have been spending a lot of money on CALA. It was even higher than tuition fees, especially in rural areas. So, the plan is to review the CALA issues as we review the competence-based curriculum that started working in 2015 up to 2022.
“This issue will be taken to Cabinet, chaired by His Excellency President Mnangagwa next week. The meeting will determine whether the CALA will be taken out or we review it. At the moment I would not be able to respond whether CALA will be removed or it will remain. I can only know that after Cabinet deliberations,” he said.
During public consultations conducted by the Ministry last year, most parents and guardians called for the scrapping of CALA saying it was making learning difficult for pupils especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who were failing to complete the required activities due to the high costs involved.
Some also argued that they were the ones doing the CALA assignments instead of the learners themselves.
ENVIRONMENTAL conservation, which entails the restoration of ecosystems and sustainable utilisation of natural resources, is essential for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change and ensuring the longterm well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
It is with this in mind that 13-yearold Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun from Kenya, Africa’s youngest climate and health advocate, is spearheading global environmental conservation efforts to make the world a better place for all.
Yesterday, Ellyanne, who is in the country for an exchange programme, paid a courtesy call on the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa at her offices in the company of other local young environmental conservationists aged between 12 and 15.
Amai Mnangagwa marvelled at the zeal shown by the young environment champions towards the preservation of the environment and pledged to work with them in raising awareness.
The children said they drew inspiration from the mother of the nation who is also the country’s environmental and wildlife patron.
They described the First Lady as an environment champion who is working tirelessly to mitigate the effects of climate change by advocating the preservation of forests and the planting of trees to curb the effects of soil erosion.
During their discussions, the First Lady said it was important to open or revamp children’s parks across all provinces where trees and flowers will be planted and children from tender ages will learn conservation issues and various tree species, enhancing their appreciation of the environment.
Following the meeting, Amai Mnangagwa said in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, she will engage school children to participate in the restoration of the parks together with Ellyanne before she leaves the country.
The First Lady and the young champions proposed a total ban on plastic packaging used in shops in favour of environmentally friendly options.
Ellyanne is a brave environment enthusiast and is undoubtedly one of the unsung heroines.
She was four-years-old and in kindergarten when she decided she wanted to be an environmentalist.
So far, aged 13 years, she says she has helped to plant 1,3 million trees earning her Kenya’s prestigious Eco-Warrior award, the youngest Paul Harris Fellow, nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2023.
Inspired by Wangari Maathai, Ellyanne addresses climate change’s impact on vulnerable communities and young people through positive action.
Last year, she became a Zero Malaria ambassador, highlighting climate change’s role in malaria challenges, starring in an international campaign with fellow Zero Malaria Ambassador David Beckham.
On the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit she led a committee of 17 children from around the world, in putting together the first ever childled Global Children Climate Summit, which ran from August 31 to September 2, 2023 ahead of the Africa Climate Summit.
As the co-founder and CEO of Children
With Nature (CWN), Ellyanne promotes connecting children with the natural world.
Her advocacy extends globally, influencing policymakers and leaders, driving a paradigm shift for a more sustainable equitable world.
She however intends to rope in other youngsters from Zimbabwe in her environment campaign.
The mother of the nation, who has a passion for young children accorded the children a warm welcome and discussed with them matters concerning environmental conservation.
She said she was touched by their young ages and expressed confidence that the children would do more to ease the effects of climate change and foster environmental protection in the communities.
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