On behalf of the Family Support Group for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I am writing to complain about Paragraph 4.5.2.2 of the recently published Matsec report.

Precluding students who obtain a Grade 3 in English for Secondary level Matriculation exams from benefiting from special arrangements for their A level exams is discriminatory. We feel these students are being told not to bother trying too hard as they will end up penalised. A student who suffers from problems of concentration, impulsivity and hyperactivity would find it very difficult to solve a four A4-page maths or physics problem, and not due to a lack of understanding of the concept or formula.

Moreover, the same student has three learning difficulties, and thus we cannot see why he or she is not entitled to extra time.

We feel that promising to look into the situation is just stalling for time and unacceptable. Action needs to be taken, now, before more students get disheartened.

Tessa M. Anastasi

Chairperson

The AD/HD Family Support Group Malta