Updated Thursday 8.45am
The Akkademja tal-Malti, the University's Department of Maltese and various institutes and prominent lecturers have voiced concerns about proposed changes to the curriculum for the teaching of Maltese in secondary schools.
They insisted that the certification of Maltese as a foreign language cannot be pegged at the same level, MQF 3, as the Matsec Maltese O’ level exam taken by students today at the end of their compulsory education.
They also disagreed with the introduction of "Applied" Maltese, arguing that a system that has already been set up by the education authorities already takes into account the situation of students with different levels and skills.
READ: Alternative Maltese language exam for vocational students planned
The institutes said they disagreed that Maltese citizens may take their Matsec exam in their national language as a foreign or second language. They also disagreed that students with a foreign parent or guardian may take their exam in Maltese as a foreign or second language.
Such distinctions, they said, run counter to what is stated in the Maltese Constitution which establishes Maltese as the sole national language of Malta, and Maltese and English as the official languages.
Education Minister Evarist Bartolo had said Matsec is planning to offer an alternative Maltese language exam, tailor-made for students aiming to join vocational post-secondary institutions. He also said there are no plans to introduce Maltese as a foreign language to Maltese students.
The institutes replied: "In the light of extensive research that highlights the benefits of bi-lingualism for the intellectual development of individuals and the socio-economic advantages it brings with it, we believe that Maltese citizens should not sit for Matsec exams of Maltese or English as a foreign or second language. If there are sections of the population that are either distancing themselves from balanced bi-lingualism or are not exposed to it, we need to make a greater effort, and certainly not a smaller one, to strengthen the teaching of Maltese and English among all those who live in Malta."
They warned that different syllabi at the same level would result in differences and inequalities between students who would have taken different routes to study the Maltese language.
"This goes against the aims of a certificate based on a common curriculum, that serves as a framework for employment and post-secondary education."
The institutes insisted that the certification of Maltese as a foreign language cannot be pegged at the same level, MQF 3, as the Matsec Maltese O’ level exam taken by students today at the end of their compulsory education.
They called for improved resources for the development of a renewed pedagogy for the teaching of Maltese to Maltese students, including the development of a pedagogy and resources for the teaching of Maltese, and electronic dictionaries and spellcheckers.
There was also a need, and an opportunity, to develop new resources for the teaching of Maltese to foreigners of different ages and from different linguistic cultures.
"We need more comprehensive educational programmes that use books, audio-visual and electronic resources to teach Maltese, so that teachers and students of Maltese will have the tools to learn. Teachers and foreign residents in Malta have been asking for such resources for years, as these are crucial for the development of both our education as well as social and cultural integration. The less we have to distinguish between the “Maltese” and “foreigners”, the more just and equal our society will be."
The statement was signed by L-Akkademja tal-Malti, Department of Maltese, University of Malta, L-Istitut tal-Lingwistika u t-Teknoloġija tal-Lingwa, the University of Malta, the Department of Maltese, UM Junior College, L-Għaqda tal-Malti – Università, Għaqda tal-Qarrejja tal-Provi tal-Malti, Għaqda Poeti Maltin and several lecturers.
Proposals based on CoE report - ministry
The Education Ministry insisted that the aim of the consultation document was to strengthen the Maltese language.
It said that the approach to Maltese as a foreign language would only be open to foreigners and not to locals.
It also stressed that the proposals were based on a Council of Europe report drawn up by experts following substantive research.
If Maltese had to grow during the technology era, then all parties should come together to come up to help students learn according to their needs.
All Maltese learning programmes should lead to equal and quality certification to ensure every student has a chance to continue his educational path.