Updated at 3:24 pm with Junior Faculty principal response
The University of Malta’s Junior School will no for a longer time involve a pass mark in the 3 O’level main subjects Maths, English and Maltese for pupils to be admitted.
Beforehand, pupils needed a grade 5 or larger in the three subjects, but the polices have changed, and only one pass mark in any of the three topics will be desired.
“The skills expected for admission to the Junior School are: 6 (6) passes in the Secondary Schooling Certification (SEC) Assessment or, when applicable, their equal at Quality 5/C or superior,” the Junior School site reads. “The subjects ought to include things like a single of the next topics: English Language, Maltese or Arithmetic.”
The past Junior College prospectus for 2020/21 reads: “Applicants have to be in possession of six (6) passes in the Secondary Training Certification (SEC) Evaluation at Grade 5 or superior or when applicable their equivalent. The subjects have to include things like: English Language, Maltese, Mathematics and at least a single of Physics, Chemistry or Biology.”
Talking to MaltaToday, Junior Higher education Principal Paul Xuereb reported that when pupils enter the Junior University, they start out a journey which could go down two routes: tertiary schooling or operate existence.
“We want to assistance pupils in the very best way probable, and the alterations give college students a likelihood to investigate these diverse possibilities,” he reported.
Xuereb reported the Junior College still calls for a pass mark in 6 MATSEC passes. “Statistics have revealed that students with 6 SEC passes almost always have Maths, Maltese and English.”
He claimed the selection was encouraged from the initially yr of the pandemic, when pupils could not sit for their O’levels and MATSEC experienced adopted a grading technique centered on mock test success and academic progress.
“Students who ended up admitted that calendar year, were on par with other pupils,” he insisted.
Xuereb also denied any political interference in the selection, specified the timing of the announcement. “We experienced the Open up Day final week, and we experienced to warn learners who are fascinated in turning into Junior Higher education college students arrive up coming October.”
Asked for a reaction, Instruction Minister Clifton Grima reported the alter was a university by-regulation, and the ministry experienced no say in the conclusion. He said it was initial authorized by the Junior College or university board, then by the Univeristy Senate and then authorised by the UOM chancellor.
“It is a various way of assisting students attain their whole prospective ahead of they are admitted to College of Malta, as the school is there to put together pupils for tertiary schooling,” he mentioned.
The UOM internet site even now states that for admission to college, pupils ought to nonetheless need to have a go in English Language, Maltese and Arithmetic.
“The Basic Entry Requirements are the Matriculation Certification and a pass at quality 5 or much better in the Secondary Schooling Certificate exams in English Language, Maltese and Arithmetic,” it reads.
PN suggests modifications will have “big consequences” on learners
Reacting to the modify in necessities, the Nationalist Celebration explained it needs an explanation from the Education Ministry.
“It is extraordinary that a several days in advance of a basic election, with out any discussion or consultation, entry prerequisites for the Junior College have been adjusted,” it reported. “Such a transform could have significant consequences for the country’s college students and training program, and can’t be taken for partisan functions.”
“If this is one more try at vote-obtaining, it is crystal clear that Labour is stooping to unprecedented concentrations to seize extra ability,” it claimed.