Eurostat research on education shows that Malta is at the lowest level in Europe on diverse criteria, among them the level of qualifications of workers, as well as the number of students continuing their studies after the obligatory age. “Besides, Malta is the only country in Europe where there still exists a selection system for 11-year old children,” said Alternattiva Demokratika deputy chairman Mario Mallia yesterday at a news conference.
AD chairman Harry Vassallo added: “It is a shame that the matter of the reception class became an electoral football between the parties with the students left in the middle. Although the proposal is interesting because it focuses on their early education, it wasn’t fleshed out enough as a comprehensive reform in the sector. It says nothing about the need of curricular reform as well as the problem of random selection which still reigns in our educational system.”
AD is proposing that the Junior Lyceum exam should no longer serve as a tool for selection and that the tools indicating the educational development of children should change so as to be more comprehensive. AD is willing to support a college system because it believes there is a need for networking and continuity in the educational journey of students. They also feel there must be a reform of the primary school curriculum with the participation of everybody, to find a better balance based on the children’s needs, not on the exam’s needs as is the case now.
“It is worrying that the School Psychological Service is practically disbanded. This unit as well as others which give support should start functioning again, and there should also be a Home-School Liason officer professionally trained to give the active participation of parents the necessary attention. This should help particularly to re-include the students and parents that for some reason or another were alienated from the educational system,” said Mr Mallia.
AD also believe that although the setting up of MCAST filled a gap they needed to be sure that it has the necessary funds to function well.
They are also suggesting that a think-tank should be created to study the situation of overpopulation at university and what can be done to personalise more the experience for students.