7 million learners in Grades 1 to 6 and Grade 9 have successfully completed the 2012 Annual National Assessment (ANA) tests between 18 – 21 September 2012. The ANA tests were introduced by the Department of Basic Education to measure the country’s improvement in learning in specific grades and subjects. ANA tests require all public schools, and independent schools subsidized by government, to conduct the same grade-specific language and mathematics tests.

Language tests cover the learner’s home language (HL) and their first additional language (FAL). Teachers mark the ANA tests using the Departmental guidelines. The tests are moderated by officials of the various Provincial Education Departments to ensure that similar standards are upheld across all schools.

The Department is pleased with its preliminary ANA test report received from provinces indicating that overall, the 2012 ANA tests were a resounding success. The report is not withstanding few challenges of shortages and incorrect test papers being delivered to some schools. We are satisfied that where these incidents occurred, officials were swift to address them and learners were able to write the test.

Learners in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District in the Northern Cape, where learning and teaching has been disrupted over the past few months will write their ANA tests as soon as schooling returns to normal.  A few other incidents were reported, and resolved, in the Sekhukhune and Vhembe districts in Limpopo, some areas in the Western Cape, and a shortageof Braille question papers in Schools for the Blind.

The Department wishes to commend Provincial  Education Departments, District officials, principals, parents and most importantly, the millions of learners who sat for the tests. Parents will receive their children’s marked scripts at dates to be determined by individual schools.