Minister urged to remove Maltese O’level university requirement for autistic students

Education minister Evarist Bartolo faced calls to remove Maltese O'levels as a prerequisite for autistic youths to enter university.  

During a conference on autism organised by Labour MEP Miriam Dalli, autism advocate Emily Slater recounted that she is unable to enter university because she cannot get her Maltese O level - a case she has taken up to the European Parliament. 

"Many autistic people only speak one language, like myself who only speaks English," she said. "This means that many Maltese autistic youths have to wait until they are mature students at 23 years old to enter a university course, or else go abroad or else seek another educational institution. Many think that this situation is fair, but I beg to differ. It is imperative for our social development to be with our peer group. It is time that our situation gets recognised and looked into."

Psychology lecturer Elena Tanti Burlo said it is unfair that students with learning difficulties are barred from entering university because of one specific requirement

Her problem was corroborated by an emotional mother who said that her autistic son has a brilliant mind but is unable to get his Maltese O level.

"Does this mean that we will have to leave Malta for him to attend a foreign university? I don't want to leave Malta, and it will be a pity for the country to lose these people." 

Another parent warned that her 13-year-old son simply cannot learn Maltese. "I am not against the Maltese language, but the educational system must realise that some people simply cannot do it. What will he do and where will he go if he cannot enter university?"

Their calls were supported by Dalli, who warned that some brilliant children are unable to attend university, simply because they are not good at Maltese. 

Psychology lecturer Elena Tanti Burlo said it is unfair that students with learning difficulties are barred from entering university because of one specific requirement, noting that, for example, Trinity College has a language waiver for people with learning difficulties.

She warned that students who cannot learn Maltese become disturbed and anxious, which stops them from functioning in other subjects.

Valerie Brincat from the Autism Parents Association questioned why, for example, students who want to study architecture at university require a Maltese O level when the course itself is delivered in English.

"I love our language, but I don’t like seeing Maltese children failing to progress because they have issues with the language," she said. 

During the conference, politicians, parents and teachers alike tore into Malta's educational system as one that is inaccessible for autistic students

Shadow economy minister Claudio Grech described this problem as one in which people are denied their rights, as a result of their coming face to face against "an iron-fisted faceless bureaucratic system."

Bartolo, in a brief response, said that government is "working on it and that we honestly believe it can happen."

'Education system doesn't accommodate for autistic children'

During the conference, politicians, parents and teachers alike tore into Malta's educational system as one that is inaccessible for autistic students, who respond to different learning styles than those adopted by mainstream education. 

Teacher and former LSA Alicia Xuereb warned that the system treats LSAs as babysitters, arguing that teachers must receive more tangible training on how to deal with autistic children in their classrooms. 

Silvana Caruana, a parent of an autistic child, said she is fed up of having to demand adaptations for her son with Asperger's at his school and called for more audio-free rooms and multi-sensory rooms for autistic students. 

"It is very hard for us to continue our struggle at my son's school. It's not fair that my son has to stay at home whenever his LSA doesn’t go to school. We must have a better Plan A, as well as a Plan B and Plan C."

In his typical fashion, Bartolo lambasted the education system, which he warned is designed around a one-size-fits-all approach that isn't adapted to autistic children.

"We have a long way to go, and will require us to unlearn quite a lot of bad traditions and bad practices," he said. "We have grown used to the idea that inclusion simply means having LSAs in classes cater for autistic children, and have given parents the illusion that giving children LSAs solves the problem when we truly need well-trained people, whose hearts are in the right place. Education is a vocation and unless you love children, then you should go and get another job."

Grech insisted that autistic people shouldn't only be assisted out of pity, highlighting their "enormous economic potential."

"The true litmus test on how far a country is advanced is its ability to integrate all people and how to channel their potential."

Dalli similarly warned that forcing autistic children into the education system would be like trying to fit square pegs into round holes. 

"While impairments such as anxiety or information processing issues can be a challenge to autistic people, many use their determination to overcome their respective challenges but are held back by their learning environment."