• Ready to protest against the 100 percent automatic progression of Grade 7 candidates into Grade 8
• Every child who sits for grade 7 examinations progresses into grade 8, despite some getting extremely low marks
• Organisation is in support of people proposing for reintroduction of cut off points at grade 7 level
National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) says it is ready to protest against the 100 percent automatic progression of Grade 7 candidates into Grade 8 once Minister of Education announces Grade Seven results.
NAQEZ Luapula Provincial Coordinator Chisenga Magomero noted that for many years in Luapula, every child who sits for grade 7 examinations progresses into grade 8, despite some getting extremely low marks while others cannot read or write.
Mr. Magomero stated that it gives too much pressure to secondary school teachers who literally fail to teach these illiterate students hence the need for the country to abandon this 100% progression immediately.
“This practice is academically dangerous and an enemy of quality education in Luapula and the nation. It gives too much pressure to secondary school teachers who literally fail to teach these illiterate students. The country needs to abandon this 100% progression, now,” he said
He said the Organisation is in support of people proposing for reintroduction of cut off points at grade 7 level as this will deter those who fail to qualify from proceeding to grade eight.
“We also support the proposal by our NAQEZ National leadership ,that the Ministry of Education must introduce transitional tests from Pre- school up to grade 5.Transitional tests will help to strengthen academic foundations of learners ,as only academically suitable pupils will be allowed to move from one grade to the next ,” he said