Sadtu opposes competency test for matric markers

TEACHERS who mark the final matric exams will need to complete competency tests, a government task team has recommended.

This happened only in the Western Cape last year, the team found.

Some teachers' unions welcomed the proposal, but the largest, the SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu), opposed it.

"Marking has to be undertaken by qualified professionals," the report said. "Currently this is the weakest link in the assessment process, apart from the setting of the papers."

The task team said that last year was the worst for matric marking problems and this coincided with the highest pass rate. It has been suggested that incompetent markers were probably a significant factor in the "inflated" marks last year.

The task team said problems included treating marking opportunities as favours for friends or basic training opportunities, and the inappropriate appointment of people far beyond their capability.

The team recommended potential markers demonstrate their competence before being appointed.

Teachers unions Naptosa and the SAOU welcomed tests for markers.

Naptosa president Basil Manuel said: "The most competent teachers must be used, or learners will be disadvantaged."

But Sadtu official Nomusa Cembi said the union was not in favour of testing markers.

"Marking does not happen in a vacuum. It is not clear what is wrong. Some ideas, which are sold as innovations, reflect badly on experienced markers.

"For years they have been good enough, but now they are made to feel that they are not." - Jan-Jan Joubert