Educators dismiss Labour's reception class plan

Various teachers yesterday dismissed Labour's plan to add a year to obligatory education, stating that the current system is catering well for Malta's needs.

"I don't see the need for this repetition, as we are already preparing our young children well for primary education," Joseph Degiovanni, former secretary general of the Malta Union of Teachers said during a Nationalist Party activity near the Roman Domus in Rabat.

"Scotland which is renowned for its high level of education adopts exactly the same system as ours.

"There is really no need to make all our students miss a year. This will be such a waste," he said.

Mr Degiovanni's comments were echoed by another two educators, Josette Pulis and Mariucca Fenech currently teaching kindergarten students and by Sean Zammit who specialised in the teaching of young children.

Labour's idea, although adopted in a few countries in Europe, does not mean it's also relevant for Malta, they said.

The educators' comments were in sync with the PN's criticism of this proposal, with Dr Gonzi calling the proposal "another experiment by the MLP with our educational system".

"Through our vote we need to send a clear message to Dr Sant that there is place no more for experimental schooling."

Labour has already meddled (bażwar) enough with the future of children, referring to past examples such as the closure of church schools, the numerus clausus imposed at the university and the changes introduced in the stipend system.

Dr Gonzi said that while the MLP is proposing that children become repeaters, the PN will keep investing, taking education levels to new heights.

He accused Labour of not showing confidence in the teaching profession while stating boldly through its (Labour's) proposal that Malta's educational system has failed. "We want to let all teachers know that the PN believes in them and their skills as we have always shown concretely in the past."

Referring to this week's debate at University, Dr Gonzi said he wanted to relay a strong message of solidarity to all university students after being attacked continuously by the Labour Party and its media for taking part in the debate.

"Serious politics need serious politicians. It can't be that we call marmalja and ħamalli whoever does not agree with us.

"These are things of the past," he said.