Tests determine weaknesses

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Every September, learners from grade one to six as well as grade nine, write their Annual National Assessment (ANA) tests.

These are national tests written across the country by all provinces.

The aim and objective of these tests are to identify weaknesses in the teaching of maths and language, in order to develop intervention strategies that will improve teaching and learning of these subjects.

“Subsidised Independent Schools and special needs schools also participate in the writing of ANA,” said Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education.

“The tests are set by the Department of Basic Education for all grades that are participating.”

She adds that all exit points are sampled for marking centrally in order to authenticate the marks from individual schools.

“After writing, the analysis of results are done to inform diagnostic report for the DBE.

“The overall report about the performance across all provinces is released by the National Minister of Basic Education.”