Change Radio Correspondent
Harare, Zimbabwe – Today, Honourable Joanna Mamombe, the Member of Parliament for Harare West, along with Harare Councillor Denford Ngadziore, embarked on a visit to schools within their constituency as part of the ongoing Curriculum Review consultation. The focus of the consultation was to gather feedback on the implementation of the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) curriculum, which requires students to continue their education with the support of parents or guardians at home. However, concerns were raised by parents regarding the financial burden and adverse effects on students.
At Alfred Beit School in Haig Park, Honourable Mamombe listened to the grievances expressed by parents during the consultation. Many parents voiced their distress over the added financial strain imposed by the CALA projects, which exacerbate the challenges they already face in paying school fees. The additional burden placed on families is creating difficulties, particularly for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Parents emphasized that young learners are struggling to manage multiple projects at such a tender age.
“Parents bemoaned the added financial burden imposed by CALA projects. They are already struggling to pay fees, and the additional financial strain is making life difficult for them, as well as putting children from poor families at a disadvantage,” stated Honourable Mamombe.
Meanwhile, at Wadzanai Primary School in Kambuzuma, some parents expressed their frustration by walking out of the consultation, deeming the process to be a mere charade. They criticized the government for failing to heed their call to abandon the CALA project and return to the traditional education system, where students receive instruction within school premises and bring home assignments that require less supervision and resources.
These concerned parents argued that the CALA project not only places an undue burden on their own work and economic activities in the challenging current economic climate but also undermines the quality of education for their children. They lamented the lack of consideration for the practical challenges faced by families and voiced their disappointment with the perceived lack of responsiveness from the government.
The Curriculum Review consultations are set to continue tomorrow across Zimbabwe. It remains to be seen how the government will address the valid concerns raised by parents and whether any modifications or alternatives to the CALA project will be proposed in response to the feedback received.
