Last week my daughter had the following math question in her exam:

“One portion of chips and a burger cost €8.31.

Two portions of chips and a drink cost €6.45.

One drink and a burger cost €7.71.

How much does one portion of chips cost?

€_________”

She had less than 10 minutes to work it out. One other thing... my daughter is 10 years old and is in Year 6, the last year of primary school. I showed this math question to friends and family, adults, some of whom found this math exercise difficult and others could not work it out and give a correct answer.

This math question is way above Year 6 level. My daughter and her fellow classmates have lost marks due to the inclusion of this inappropriate question in the mid-year math exam paper. Who will ensure that this situation will be rectified so that it will not affect her overall math result? My daughter is a high achiever in all school subjects. She found this sum impossible to answer correctly.

Last year, together with around one hundred other parents whose children attend the same college my daughter does, I signed a petition because their mid-year Math exam for 2012, was beyond the level the students were preparing for. The petition led to a meeting with the Principal of the college who admitted at the meeting that the terminology used in that year's exam paper was beyond the understanding of the students. When asked to make an allowance for this in the students’ results the Principal refused to do so.

This year, the mid-year math paper again contained a level beyond that of its students. Who will be held accountable this year, in 2013? This year I appeal to the Education Department to look into the matter and take due action.

Rebecca Borg

BIRKIRKARA