Time management key in CALAs

GREETINGS to you learners. Last week, we discussed a number of issues pertaining to continuous assessment learning activities (CALA) and we are carrying on with the subject in this instalment.

In the final analysis, you are supposed to get your CALA projects completed and the marks submitted to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council.

CALA marks are low-hanging fruits for many candidates, hence the need for them to take their research projects seriously.

With this new arrangement, passing exams has never been that easy.

For instance, CALA marks contribute 30 percent of the final mark.

What this means is that a candidate who seeks to settle for a C grade needs to score only 20 percent in the final exam.

Clearly, this is an easy way of sailing through your studies.

However, I have noticed that many learners stumble on CALA projects.

A piecemeal measure, it turns out to be! There are many reasons for such mediocre performance.

There is need for time management given the quantum of CALA projects per subject, unless there is a downward review to that effect.

Let us take this opportunity to consider the aspect of time management so that candidates gradually work on their projects in a hassle-free manner.

Many candidates procrastinate until the eleventh hour to complete their projects and, as such, they come under so much pressure that they resort to short cuts.

Plagiarism and hiring other people at a cost to get the project done are among the unfortunate means and ways learners resort to.

The following proposal could help candidates to avoid the pressure associated with CALA preparatory work.

Let us consider a learner in Form Three this year.

The following work plan can do the trick:

Ensure that CALA projects are completed as scheduled for each subject to be undertaken by the respective candidate by the end of:

◆ April 2024: CALA 1

◆ July 2024: CALA 2

◆ October 2024: CALA 3

◆ December 2024: CALA 4

◆ February 2025: CALA 5

The objective here is to make life easier in preparation for the final exams.

By sticking to the guide, learners will not have the CALA burden weighing heavily on their shoulders.

Let the final CALA project be a result of the painstaking research programme the candidates undertake. It is always to their benefit.

Mind you, knowledge is power! ◆ Taurai Mandhlazi is an educationist. He is also the communications, marketing and public relations officer for Munashe Private High School in Mutoko. He can be contacted on: +263776865616; e-mail: mandhlazitm@gmail.com