Coursework assessment, which counts in the determination of the final grade awarded to students, did not count in the 2022 Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) results for Computer Studies, Design and Technology, and Development Studies. To some extent, the assessment could have been a difference for students who are seeking tertiary education and government sponsorship.

The three coursework components did not meet the 90% submission threshold by the end of the extended submission deadline hence the scores for the components were excluded when determining syllabus grades. BEC has since admitted that the challenges are likely to have an impact on candidates’ performances through no fault of their own.

Following backlash and enquiries it received, BEC has amended results but the decision to scrap out coursework assessment is something they will not consider. In their report released last month, BEC concluded that for components with a submission level of less than the 90% threshold, candidates would be graded without coursework.

In an interview with Mmegi this week BEC’s Corporate Communications Manager, Fingile Makgalemele said in so far as BEC is concerned, there is no need to review the grading procedure.

“The decision was taken in the best interest of the candidates at the overall level and the view of BEC still stands,” she said.

In their 2022 BGCSE results report, BEC indicated that a post-examination procedure that compensates candidates who were disadvantaged at the time of the examination due to circumstances beyond their control was therefore applied at a cohort level where it was deemed necessary.

“It should be noted that such procedure is part of best practice in exercising the principle of fairness given that the circumstances experienced by candidates were beyond their control. Further to note is that the application of the procedure will not change the circumstances that the cohort faced as it also ensures that the integrity of the assessment is not compromised,” further read the report.

BEC has revealed this year there was an issue with the capturing of coursework marks by centres into the Malepa application as well as the submission of coursework projects. BEC indicated that centres kept raising the issue of payment before they could execute coursework activities.

“Teachers and their unions wanted the BEC and the ministry to commit to increasing the fees before they could do their part. As such most teachers resolved to refusing to submit the marks to their school authorities. To this end, deadlines for the submission of coursework marks were seriously affected at both JCE and BGCSE. It was only after the ministry and the unions agreed to a five percent increase in the fees that submission rates began to improve. But even after that, it was evident that some teachers were only beginning to get involved with the coursework activities, although it was already too late,” BEC 2022 provisional report stated.

To address the submission issue, BEC pointed out that an extension was granted for all components that were due and centres were informed that no marks would be accepted after the extended dates. The intention according to the results report was to ensure that only cases where the marks submitted exceed a 90% threshold would be considered, which is as per the BEC standard in line with international best practice.

“Otherwise, where less than 90% of the marks would have been submitted, the candidates would be graded without the coursework component. Also because of the environment under which coursework was conducted, BEC resorted to conducting a validation exercise for all coursework components that has reached the 90% submission rate,” stated the report.

BEC also disclosed that due to the delays in the submission of both marks and projects, the courier that was contracted to ferry the projects from the centres from October 3-5, 2022, did not manage to bring artefacts or project portfolios as all the centres were not ready at collection time.

This is said to have delayed the start of the moderation activity.

The exams body further stated that prior to the 2021 examination series, they had been paying a moderation fee of P17.20 per script. However, it added, when the coursework and invigilation fees were transferred to BEC in 2021, the moderators demanded an increase in the script fee to P49.50, which is similar to the fee paid for coursework to teachers by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

“The figure of P49.50 was a huge increase which was beyond the budget of BEC and therefore statistical moderation was considered. As such management resolved to consult with the accreditors, Cambridge International, on the use of the statistical moderation model employed at JCE level. Cambridge International was also consulted on the grading of candidates without coursework since it was apparent that some centres would not submit the marks,” BEC further stated in the report.

Moreover, BEC said Cambridge International responded in the affirmative in both issues, citing that during COVID-19 era, most countries used the two routes, and it was found to have worked, provided certain considerations were made. BEC added that it was concluded that for components with a submission level of less than the 90% threshold, candidates would be graded without coursework.

BEC further revealed that for components that had to undergo statistical moderation, two considerations had to be made. “The marks had to be taken through a validity test. If the marks pass the test, they had to check whether the component had enough historical data to support statistical moderation.”

BEC pointed out that after the two considerations, three components being Computer Studies, Design and Technology, and Development Studies fell below the 90% threshold while seven being Home Management, Fashion and Fabrics, Music, Hospitality and Tourism, Animal Production, Field Crop Production, and Horticulture were found to either be new in the establishment of standards or had a small population hence needed to be moderated using the conventional route.

“However, Art and Design was also moderated using the conventional route due to logistical challenges. This only left two components, Physical Education and Agriculture, to be moderated statistically,” BEC clarified.

BEC admitted that coursework disagreements have escalated to a level where it now has far-reaching implications for the education system.

BEC now emphasises that there is an urgent need for all stakeholders to engage on the coursework assessment issues to find a lasting solution otherwise these challenges have the potential to negatively impact on the success of the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) reform and the credibility of the BGCSE qualification if not mitigated against.

BEC promised that with effect from the 2023 examination cycle going forward, they will not be able to award any grade for any syllabus without coursework, which is where it is expected as per the design of the assessment. Failure to assess knowledge and skills prescribed in the curriculum erodes the validity of the assessment which has the potential to compromise the integrity and credibility of the qualification.