Dokora pile pressure on Grade 7 pupils

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora has revealed plans to have Grade 7 final examination candidates sit for  more than four subjects.

 This is part of the new education curriculum, which, among other innovations, demands "thorough" aptitude testing.

Multiple choice questions will be reduced, while continuous assessments and practical examination scores will constitute a significant percentage of the final mark.

Said Dokora : "The way examinations are structured will change. We do have expression to what the children are learning and we cannot produce that in four (examined areas).

"Four is what the current curriculum is anticipating. We have given Zimsec the task to look at the framework and see how the exam plan can be worked out. Of course, it will carry a lot of the learner's profile record, and continuous assessment will be factored in."

"Certainly, there will be broader inclusion; all learning areas will be reflected in the examinations. We have moved a long way from the traditional Grade 7 examinations. If you compare the previous junior school module and the current one, (you will realise) that they are different.

"The current module has expanded. So, we want an examination that assesses these children who are transitioning from junior school to secondary school. The learning areas ought to be examined and none of them are optional. We expect students to be thoroughly examined at the end of the module."

Dokora said Government wanted to mould all-rounders.

"There is inclusion of Physical Education and Sport, and (pupils) cannot (opt) out. No one will say ‘I am a Science person, therefore, I will not be involved in any sporting activities."

"We had created a very bad culture for our children; for children to opt out and only those interested in sports will be involved in sport.

"Thus, Sport and Physical Education will be compulsory. Every child must have a sport."