Teachers commend new exam grading system

Students and teachers have applauded the government’s proposal to include in the student’s final examination, 40 percent of marks scored in Continuous Assessment (CA) tests for the period of four years,
saying it will motivate students to do attend classes and do tests.   
The development is in the wake of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training announcement of a new grading system.
It was explained that, the sum total of the CA will be as follows: From form two examinations 15 marks will taken and added to 10 marks taken from form three examination results and then five marks will be taken from each of the two terms in a year and finally 10 marks will be taken from Mock examinations results while practical projects will offer 5 marks to the total score.
Use of CA in grading form six students will continue with the current structure.
Speaking with students and teachers over the weekend during the graduation of Qualifying Test (QT) students at the Institute of Adult Education Success Education Centre (IAESEC) in Dar es Salaam, both groups expressed optimism in the use of CA saying it will motivate them to work harder.
“The inclusion of CA in grading the marks will improve students’ attendance and make them much more careful while doing their class work knowing that the marks will be vital in their terminal examinations,” Lightness Maro, an outgoing IAESEC QT student said.
“In short it will be medicine to absenteeism” she added.
On the other hand, IAESEC assistant teacher, Medchiades Kajura challenged the new Grade Ranges of A, B, C, D, E and F whereby A, C, D, E and F will remain in one cluster each but grade B will be divided into two clusters, saying the changes will not encourage students to study hard because “the grades have been increased for lower marks.”