The government was committed to eliminate the trauma parents and children had in the final year at primary level because of the Junior Lyceum and Common Entrance examination.

The government’s activity should lead to an agreement so that children moving from primary to secondary education would sit for one examination and their results would be based on national benchmarks, Education Minister Louis Galea said.

It was not the government’s aim to remove examinations but it was time for these to be supplemented by continuous assessments of the children. This would do away with a lot of the tension on children and parents while helping to achieve a complete educational formation starting from the early stages. As part of this strategy, children would be accepted in kindergartens from the age of two years and nine months, while by 2010, kindergarten assistants will need a diploma to work, and a degree by 2015.

Dr Galea was speaking at a meeting organised by the Nationalist Party, where he described the government’s activities in the education sector as a silent revolution. He also referred to the agreement with the Malta Union of Teachers, which the MUT itself described as historic because it would open another new chapter of partnership in education between students, teachers and parents.

He referred to the building of new schools, and refurbishment of existing ones, to give students the best educational environment. New colleges being set up would enable students to move from one class to another, and from one school to another, without any impact.

The meeting was also addressed by Finance Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech, who described the 200 proposals in the pre-budget document as 200 proposals for the family. The coming budget, he said, would address different sectors of the people, including children, parents, workers, young people, students, the elderly and disabled people.

Last year’s lowering of income tax had not been enjoyed to the same level by all. So this year’s budget would try to meet everyone’s needs, according to particular circumstances, while incentivising work and recognising the success the country was making.

Mr Fenech described the International Monetary Fund report on Malta as a positive certificate for the government’s policy, which was leading to a further strengthening of the economy, more investments and new employment opportunities.