NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2461

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20/09/2012 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 31/2013)

Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 2000 on 26 August 2013, in which provinces will competency tests for the markers of national Senior Certificate examination scripts be administered in 201 3;

(2) on what basis did she encounter opposition from the majority teacher union to her draft amendment policy to provide for a competency test to be used in the selection of markers for the National Senior Certificate examination. as gazetted in terms of the National Education Policy Act, Act 27 of 1996, in December 2012;

(3) what are the (a}reasons why she entertained the opposition. given the fact that the gazetted draft policy does not directly affect the rights or interests of educators and (b) details of her (i) past, (ii) current and (iii) planned interaction with the majority teacher union to resolve the differences;

(4) whether the resolution of differences with the majority teacher union on this matter is a prerequisite for her department before the imposition of competency tests for examination markers; if so, why?   NW2946E

RESPONSE

(1) The Western Cape Education Department has already administered the competency test for prospective markers in ten subjects. In certain other province s, tests are administered which take the form of markers responding to the whole question paper written by the learners or responding to certain questions in the paper.

(2) The majority teacher Union has expressed concern that the competency test was in the main exclusionary and the proposal to implement the competency test does not indicate how teachers that fail to make the required score will be supported in terms of their knowledge and assessment gaps.

The draft policy does impact on educators given that it will determine their selcetion to participate in the marking process. The Minister has considered the inputs from all role­ players and it is in the best interest of examinations not to approve the policy without the support of the majority teacher Union. The Minister and her officials have engaged the Unions on this matter through the official structures at which the Unions are represented and will continue to interact with the Union so that the differences can be resolved amicably.

On all matters that are of crucial importance as this, the Ministry will attempt to bridge the divide between the parties concerned and this is pertinent to all role-player s i n the field of education. However, if 110 amicable resolution can be reached after the Ministry has explored all avenues possible, the Minister will utilise her discretion and make a decision that is in the best interest of learners.

Issued by Parliament, October 2 2013

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