The Malta Chamber today expressed its utmost concern on the reported news that English lessons for Form 4 students are to be reduced by one lesson a week next year. If this report is correct, this decision goes against any logic and ought to be revised with immediate effect.
The Malta Chamber has expressed itself in the past that in an increasingly open economy which depends on excellent communication with international markets, English plays a central and pivotal role in the economic growth of the country. In its ‘Employee Skills Survey’ of 2016, the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) claimed that one of the skills matches considered important by employers is in fact English Language (74.4%).
Unfortunately the level of English has already demonstrably been experiencing a decline amongst the young in recent years. This decision certainly is illogical as is bound to compound this negative trend.
This decision is seen by the Malta Chamber as a change in policy direction.
In reply, the Education Ministry said that there will be no change in the number of lessons, or time dedicated, to the English language.
Not only will English not decrease in importance, but the Ministry will be investing in further training for English teachers through an agreement with Cambridge English, with the aim that students receive an even better learning experience in this subject.
This Ministry has always worked to strengthen English at the different levels of the education sector, the ministry said.