Examinations at 16+ can serve two purposes: (1) to qualify students for further study and (2) to certify them in particular subjects after a number of years of compulsory schooling.

Up to 10 years ago, Maltese students sat for GCE examinations that aimed at qualifying students for further studies in the academic stream. Around 20-25 per cent of the fifth formers were expected to pass these examinations. When MATSEC was introduced, its role was extended to include both qualifying and certifying students in academic subjects. Therefore, when we look at the Sec statistics, we need to keep this distinction in mind. The analysis that is based on grades 1-5 relates specifically to qualifications for further study. The analysis with regard to certification in the different subjects includes grades 1-7, which is a wider range.

With regard to qualifying students, the situation has been improving over the years. From the expected 20-25 per cent pass rate 10 years ago, the current situation is as follows:

Out of all the 16-year-olds, in 2003: 51 per cent gained Grades 1-5 in English, 50 per cent in Maltese and 53 per cent in mathematics.

This means that half our fifth formers are obtaining qualifications in the basic subjects that are compulsory for further studies at a higher level.

Those students who did not obtain grades 1-5 cannot de facto be assumed to have ended up "unqualified and unskilled", as Evarist Bartolo wrongly assumes every time he comments on this issue. In fact, when grades 1-7 are considered, the current situation is as follows:

Out of all the 16-year-olds, in 2003: 64.4 per cent gained grades 1-7 in English, 56 per cent in Maltese and 61.1 per cent in mathematics.

These statistics show that in 2003 a significant proportion of the 16-year-olds finished schooling with valid certification in the core subjects. It must be pointed out that these statistics are only indicative and could be one to two per cent higher because they refer to all 5,314 infants born in 1987. No adjustments were made for those youngsters who, for various reasons, could not complete their compulsory education at Form 5 level in 2003 and for those who could not be expected to reach Sec level standard by the end of their compulsory education.

Moreover, it must be pointed out that the nature of Matsec examinations demands that a standard is reached in order for the students to be awarded the certificate in the particular subjects. Therefore, it is not realistic to expect all fifth formers to gain certification in the different subjects. One must also remember that in its current role, Matsec is not conducting a national monitoring exercise that would aim to find out what all students know and can do at this critical point in the schooling.

In 2003, Matsec has, for the first time, indicated that 40 per cent of the 16-year-olds completed their compulsory education in 2003 with the necessary qualifications to access further study in the academic stream. This figure is reasonable when we consider that this is the proportion of students who have six passes with grades 1-5 and who are thus likely to succeed in the academic stream.

Matsec has only reported on the qualifications needed for an academic path. This figure does not include other possible career paths that are currently available, for example the various opportunities available at MCAST and other post-secondary schools.

Moreover, there is a gender difference that is noteworthy. In 2003, 30.4 per cent of 16-year-old boys obtained the necessary qualifications for further study. Although higher than the expected 20-25 per cent pass rate 10 years ago, the performance of boys demands a deeper investigation especially when it is compared to the performance of girls which was much better. In fact, in 2003, 47.8 per cent of girls obtained the required six passes which are compulsory for further study.

The gender difference is also real when we look at the Sec results for the state sector compared to the other sectors. Junior lyceum girls have consistently over the past years performed at par with girls in the Church sector in particular. The situation is different for the boys and there may be a number of factors contributing to this situation (e.g. the selectivity structure at 11+ and motivation).

The numbers of students from area secondary schools who qualify with grades 1-5 are very low compared to the other types of schools. However, the numbers of students from these schools who obtain grades 1-7 and therefore get a SEC certificate in the particular subjects is more encouraging. For example, from the area secondary schools in 2003, there was a total of: 329 (113 boys and 216 girls) who obtained a Sec certificate in English; 316 (118 boys and 198 girls) who obtained a Sec certificate in Maltese; and 310 (157 boys and 153 girls) who obtained a Sec certificate in mathematics.

The changes that have occurred at Matsec over time have been positive and noteworthy. It is time to take stock of our current local needs and challenges, in order to ensure that the local examination system continues to evolve and serve local needs. A review is currently under way that will help us understand aspects of the local situation for which innovations and adaptations are a must from an inclusive perspective.

Louis Galea is Education Minister

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