The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that Grade 10 and 11 learners will be writing controlled tests instead of final exams this year.
DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says, “This is applicable to Grades 4 to 9 as well. Not just [Grades] 10 and 11”.
In a statement published by the department’s Director General Mathanzima Mweli, he states that the “Covid-19 lockdown and extended closure of schools has had a significant impact on schooling, learning and assessment”.
The promotion requirements for these grades have been revised and will only apply for this year. The revision was made in accordance to the amended annual teaching plans and programmes of assessment, as well as the amount of time spent teaching and learning.
While the controlled tests must adhere to a prescribed standard, it is said that it should only cover content that was taught.
“The controlled test [will have] to cover a substantial portion of the curriculum taught (preferably work covered in all terms, wherever possible).”
In the meantime, teachers who suffer from underlying medical conditions were also told to return to school or face dismissal.
