Government 'rushing' co-ed reform - Joe Cassar

Co-education reform is being rushed through by government, Opposition MP Joe Cassar says.

The opposition is calling for a social impact study on the introduction of the co-education reform, insisting that government is rushing the reform.

Following Opposition MP Joe Cassar's criticism of government's alleged lack of consultation on co-education in secondary schools, education minister Evarist Bartolo said that co-education is not a new concept in Malta since private schools are already co-ed.

Speaking on this week's edition of Reporter led by MediaToday Managing Editor Saviour Balzan, Bartolo stressed that the best educational systems around the globe existed in countries where cross-party consensus existed.

"However, in a parliamentary democracy disagreement is vital and necessary. The main difference between the two main parties is that the government is committed to publishing every study that is carried out and never use statistics to conceal reality," the minister said.

Cassar replied that one should not stop at statistics and numbers, but government had a duty to put forward doable proposals.

During the programme, Balzan cited various figures that are somewhat perturbing, such as the meagre 17% of students who complete the foundation course at MCAST. Moreover, over 50% of 5th formers do not even sit for an exam or fail to pass.

Monday's Reporter also included an interview with Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) President Kevin Bonello. He argued that MUT are in favour of co-education in secondary schools, but further consultation needed to be carried out, noting that the working committee that was set up "regrettably never met."

Bartolo rebutted that the committee could not meet at an earlier stage, since it took up to three months to gather the necessary data.

"The material collected involved the parents, teachers, head of schools and students. Professor Mark Borg is analysing and evaluating the data. To date, the co-education reform seems to be a positive experience," the minister said.

Joe Cassar asserted that the opposition is not against the concept, pointing out that the previous Nationalist administration had introduced a similar initiative at the Malta College for Sports.

"The co-education reform will leave a drastic impact on the Maltese education system. However, the government is yet to conduct a social impact study. Furthermore, it has not embarked on a consultation process with the relevant stakeholders. The government is rushing the scheme," Cassar reiterated.

"The Opposition is urging the government to hold a wide consultation process with all relevant stakeholders, namely teachers' unions, parents, students and learning support assistants prior to implementing the reforms."

In Malta, there are five co-ed schools: the Malta College for Sports and the four private schools. Santa Clara College, the girls' secondary school in Pembroke is set to become the first co-ed state school in Malta.

Reporter also tackled the stigma state schools still face. "Church schools built a certain tradition due to the common entrance exam, which used to filter and enrol the best students in academic terms. If state schools face a stigma, this is very unjust. However, state schools offer the same level of education as church and private schools" the MUT President said.

Reporter, a 'hard talk' style programme, discussed the opposition's stand on various issues and analysed the details surrounding the pilot project of tablets in schools across Malta.

Reporter is aired live every Monday at 6.55pm on TVM. The programme is repeated on TVM2 on Monday at 10.15pm.

 

 

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The Opposition has always been against reforms, especially when dealing with the social classes. They have not learnt their lesson from the last election when the greatest majority in Malta's history rejected and decimated the Opposition for the corruption, discrimination and arrogance, which they are still displaying up to now. How can we accept the phrase "The Opposition wants" let them all go to hell.
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Igor P. Shuvalov
"We are in favour of co-education.... but..." "We are in favour of Civil Unions.... but..." "We are in favour of middle schools... but..." "We are in favour..... but there is always a "but"!