A report penned by the Ombudsman for Education highlights the issues with MATSEC arrangements for students with ADHD, autism or dyslexia. The report by Professor Charles Farrugia mentions difficulties faced by such students when they sit for mathematics, Maltese and English exams.
The report shows how people with such conditions tend to struggle with obtaining the necessary marks in these three subjects. A table shows how only 28% of the students with special needs obtained the necessary grade for the Maltese O level. This compares with the 66% of other candidates who managed to obtain the desired marks.
Similarly, in the English language, only 31% of the students with such conditions achieved the grades while more than 63% of the other candidates passed. In mathematics, things look more or less the same with less than a quarter of those sitting for MATSEC exam passing.
Farrugia listed a number of recommendations which could help improve the local educational scenario. The report recommends greater use of oral and multiple choice assessments methods. It also sheds light on the need for more training to invigilators. The way exams papers are printed might also make a different. "Students with dyslexia tend to be disturbed by a bright, white paper. So if we simply change the quality of the paper to matt or sepia, things could get better. Such students are also very easily distracted. That is why we need to ensure that exam halls or completely silent," he explained.
One recommendation looks into the use of the Maltese language in exams. The report suggests that examinations papers are restructured to emphasise more on the communicative aspect of language and less on the linguistic. "It is scientifically proven that these students struggle with spelling. So why do we keep making it hard for them to pass the exam? The Maltese language will not die when it is no longer a requirement. It will die only when it is no longer used, which is not the case at the moment."
The study comes along after consultation and meeting with parents and educators.