Nursing students 'adequately prepared'

Students reading for a diploma in nursing are adequately supported academically in preparation for their assessments, the University of Malta said yesterday.

The university was reacting to a statement by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses which questioned the way the course was being run. The union demanded an inquiry after nearly half of the students failed their last exam this year, saying this reflected badly on the course.

A university spokesman said the end-of-course examinations were not the sole mode of assessment but part of a continuous assessment system used throughout the four-year course.

An external examiner was present in the final year to ensure there was additional independent assessment of the knowledge acquired by students during their course of studies, the spokesman added. An evaluation of the test procedures was also carried out.

Positive reports were always received from the external examiners about the students' level of knowledge.

The spokesman said students have a right to a revision of paper if they make the request within two weeks of the publication of results. Moreover, students have a right to do re-sits in September.