Open letter to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, from Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) regarding "Unfair question in grade 9 common task assessment arts and culture exam" on 23 November 2011
Dear Madam
The above matter has reference.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned over the question in a grade 9 Common Task Assessment arts and culture exam which asked pupils to identify two soap operas which they enjoy watching and to name three characters from each.
With all due respect Minister, the UDM believes that the Country has a right to know exactly where the subject advisors, heads of departments and examiners were during the time this question paper was set. The question not only seems irrelevant to the education of the pupils but even discriminatory to an extent.
It seems the Department is out of touch with the prevailing conditions. Not all parents can afford the luxury of a television set - most do not even have shelter to call a home, let alone access to television. There are areas in this Country without television signal which parents cannot help. The UDM questions exactly how the Department allowed such a question to be in the paper, bearing in mind that it carried eight marks. Was it even considered that in most family backgrounds it is taboo for children to watch soap operas due to age restriction and out of respect for elders?
We request the Honourable Minister to look into this matter and to advise thereafter exactly what steps will be taken to ensure that this never happens again. According to Education Ministry spokeswoman Hope Mokgatlhe, in cases where it was found that an exam question has disadvantaged pupils through no fault of their own, their marks would be adjusted, we hope that this will indeed be the case.
We believe that asking the question in the first instance was wrong, secondly those who should have picked up the unfair question reneged on their duty. Asking a question that a learner cannot answer is unfair and calls for serious action.
Yours in Nation building,
Mr Bongani Msomi
Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement