Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

‘Permanent markers’ for school exams

‘Permanent markers’ for school exams

PLEASE allow me space in your newspaper to air my concern on the marking of external examinations, especially of the Grade 10 and 12 exams.

For the past three years, I have been trying to get into this marking of the Grade 10 exams, but I’m always rejected. I have eight years’ experience in teaching Maths and Physical Science Grade 8-10.And these are the subjects I have applied for to go and mark because I meet the requirements.I am not disappointed that I have been rejected, but I am disappointed that marking has become a permanent position for some people who have been marking for almost 10 or 12 years consecutively.They apply and get accepted with no fuss.Or does the DNEA Act say that if you get one chance then you can make it your home? What I discovered about these ‘permanent markers’ is that they go there for the money and nothing but the money.It is true that there is no free lunch in this world, but let marking be marking for teachers to fulfil their responsibilities in assessing and not to enrich themselves.Some of us want to be part of that marking in order to get experience that will improve and expand our horizons relating to teaching and assessing.I can even do it without a cent if that is the case.After all some of us are marking Grade 7 external examinations at our various schools and we are not paid not a cent.Is it possible for the Directorate of External Examinations to implement something like a contract term for markers so that every teacher who wishes to get such experience will at least have one or two chances? Or at least let every subject teacher at every school mark their papers in their cluster groups.I am tired of watching the same faces going to mark each year for the rest of their career lives.Dedicated Teacher WindhoekI have eight years’ experience in teaching Maths and Physical Science Grade 8-10.And these are the subjects I have applied for to go and mark because I meet the requirements.I am not disappointed that I have been rejected, but I am disappointed that marking has become a permanent position for some people who have been marking for almost 10 or 12 years consecutively.They apply and get accepted with no fuss.Or does the DNEA Act say that if you get one chance then you can make it your home? What I discovered about these ‘permanent markers’ is that they go there for the money and nothing but the money.It is true that there is no free lunch in this world, but let marking be marking for teachers to fulfil their responsibilities in assessing and not to enrich themselves.Some of us want to be part of that marking in order to get experience that will improve and expand our horizons relating to teaching and assessing.I can even do it without a cent if that is the case.After all some of us are marking Grade 7 external examinations at our various schools and we are not paid not a cent.Is it possible for the Directorate of External Examinations to implement something like a contract term for markers so that every teacher who wishes to get such experience will at least have one or two chances? Or at least let every subject teacher at every school mark their papers in their cluster groups.I am tired of watching the same faces going to mark each year for the rest of their career lives. Dedicated Teacher Windhoek

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News