Does ZIMSEC intend to implement the CABINET resolution on CALA cancellation?

Does ZIMSEC intend to implement the CABINET resolution on CALA cancellation?

Close to two weeks ago, Zimbabwe's Cabinet and the Ministry of Education announced that there would be no more CALA for grade 7 ZIMSEC, O Level, and A-level Students with immediate effect. They went on to say that the CALA has, with immediate effect, been replaced with the new school-based projects of practical applications with the number of areas covered by the non-examination process reduced from about eight to one for each subject.

But Is ZIMSEC going to implement this immediately as per the directive of both the Cabinet and Ministry of Education?

It seems that ZIMSEC does not intend to cancel CALAs to sync with the Cabinet's decision. According to ZIMSEC, they have not received a written communication from the Cabinet or the Ministry of Education. ZIMSEC confirms having seen the announcement to cancel CALA on the Twitter handles of The Ministry of Education and that of the Information and Publicity as well as in the Herald. ZIMSEC says they cannot act on non-formal communication.

Whose fault is it?

Is ZIMSEC to blame for failing to act according to the announcement and on a decision approved by the cabinet? Is the Ministry of Education to blame for failing to communicate well? It remains a ministry whether CALAs will be done this year even after a clear and approved decision to cancel it. 

The Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALAs) have been replaced with new school-based projects of practical applications from 2024 to 2030. The number of areas covered by the non-examination process has been reduced from about eight to one for each subject. Learners in primary schools will now be offered a maximum of six learning areas, while Form 1 to 4 learners will have five compulsory learning areas. This change aligns with the Second Republic policy of ensuring inclusive and quality education infrastructure across different areas and needs. So, CALAs are not canceled; they have evolved into a different form of assessment.