mt campaign

growing pains
Getting back to basics



THERE IS A CONCERN THAT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CLINCH A GOOD NUMBER OF EXAM PASSES, STUDENTS ARE BITING OFF MORE THAN THEY CAN CHEW, WITH DISASTROUS RESULTS. SURELY IT IS BETTER IF WE ENCOURAGE YOUNGSTERS TO STICK TO THE CORE SUBJECTS AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THEM, SHADOW EDUCATION MINISTER, EVARIST BARTOLO, TELLS MIRIAM DUNN

A major initiative needs to be launched to ensure students are gaining a good grasp of the core subjects, if we are to reverse the trend of dismal results being achieved in government secondary schools, according to the shadow education minister.

Evarist Bartolo admitted that the poor levels of achievement in certain basic subjects, such as English, Maltese and Science, which he publicised last weekend, came across as shocking, partly because they are not otherwise made public.

"This is also a problem, that neither the Education ministry nor Matsec carry out analyses of the results," he said. "And then, as is to be expected, people are surprised and appalled when the results are made public.”

The MLP spokesman believes that a major initiative from the highest political level is needed to promote improvements in the core areas of study; literacy, numeracy and science.

"This needs to be done right from primary level and followed through, not just in a way that is paying lip service to these students," he stressed.

Mr Bartolo highlighted the importance of ensuring that younger pupils get the extra help they need.

"Data shows that children who are given the extra assistance they need make good progress, but often fall behind again when the help is withdrawn," he said. "Unfortunately this is noticeable because the complementary teachers that are available for children in year three are not there for pupils in years four or five. This is very worrying, taking into account that figures show 20% of children aged seven are experiencing some problems in their studies."

The figures Mr Bartolo gave out last week could only be described as grim – a 1.5% pass rate for English and 2% for Maltese in government area secondary schools.

"On top of that, statistics showed that from 6,700 school leavers, less than one third succeeded in obtaining a pass mark in five main subjects," he added.

The Opposition spokesman puts down much of the problem to what he describes as the "medal syndrome" – trying to gain as many passes as possible.

"We have to ask why these youngsters are doing 10 or 11 subjects when five is adequate," he said. "Students are trying to do too many subjects, the syllabi are too large and the end results are disastrous. We need to reduce the number of subjects being taught."

Mr Bartolo explained that although he believes the long-term solution lies in a policy of focusing on the core subjects, other stopgap measures are needed to help the students currently caught up in the middle of the problems.

"We need a special plan for government area secondary schools, which would include a task force specifically geared towards concentrating on these students," he said. "I think a relevant syllabus should be designed for them, even if it is relaxed somewhat. I believe we should even forget Matsec for now. After all, surely it is better that they come out with the basics rather than nothing?"

He pointed out that there is also a recognised pattern that failure can lead to demotivation, which, in turn, can trigger absenteeism and truancy.

"This downward spiral has to be checked if we are to ensure we don’t lose these students completely," he warned. "Let us also remember that 39% of our unemployed are under 29, and there is a worrying core which is under 19. These can easily move from being unemployed to becoming unemployable.

"In this way, the failure in the educational system not only affects the students personally, it also threatens the viability of the country as a whole. After all, every democratic society needs educated citizens for its workforce."

On the issue of the job market, Mr Bartolo also pointed out that the system needed to provide better assistance for students in choosing their careers.

"I don’t believe a once-a-year careers convention is enough," he said. "There has to be proper, comprehensive guidance and it has to be ongoing and informative."

He added that the fact that there is a surplus of qualified people in some sectors and a dearth in others, such as the construction industry, served as a sign that the system had failed.

"How can we be happy with such a situation, taking the jobless figures into account?" he asked.

In line with this, he highlighted the need to close the gap between schools and the world outside, pointing out that the classrooms still had a Dickensian feel about them, which youngsters could compare to the exciting, colourful world of the internet and television.

"We need to ensure our education system and those in it are in touch with today’s youngsters, so that they want to learn, rather than succumb to the temptation of switching off," he said.