University Pro-Rector Carmen Sammut has defended the change in Junior College entrance policy.

She was reacting to news that students will no longer require a pass mark in all three of the core O-level subjects in order to be admitted to Junior College. Previously, students needed to achieve a grade of 5 or higher in three core subjects - Mathematics, English, and Maltese - in order to get into the sixth form college.

Posting on Facebook, she said she doesn't know why this "unanimous Junior College Board decision," caused a panic, when it allows students who got stuck in one or two of the core subjects, to continue studying.

"These students will now simply have the opportunity to get their SEC in a subject they would be stuck in before entering university, where the core subjects are still obligatory."

"It is not right that there are those trying to politicise the decision or confuse the minds of the public and educators. This is a decision in favour of students, students who have spent two years trying to deal with circumstances of a pandemic, and it is not a decision taken by the government on the eve of an election to fish for votes as some are painting it."

This is the whole story: "For a number of years there were students who would not consider entering Junior College as they feel like they are struggling in a subject, and would risk that, if they get stuck in a subject, they would be out. In November we had a considerable number of students who got stuck on a subject and who were doing well and integrated in the college, but due to the regulations at the time, we had to tell them to leave. It was a sad situation as at the time it was too late for them to enter into a different institution."

On 5 January, she said, the Junior College Board deliberated at length, and unanimously decided to propose a change in entry criteria.

On 20 January, these were discussed and after some proposed changes, were approved by the University Senate, she said.

The Academic Registrar put forward the amendments to the government to be included in a Legal Notice. The Legal Notice was approved on 8 March, she said.

Sammut said she is writing this as she is seeing a lot of "unnecessary speculation."

She expressed shock at how this was picked up in the media today when the timing was not imposed by government and was not decided by the university or Junior College, "so much so that the College Principal had the opportunity to discuss the changed during an open day with parents last week. I don't know who decided to create a chaos today about it."

She urged students to continue studying. "If you get stuck in one, don't worry as you will have the chance to continue trying to pass without fear that the college would kick you out."