Reception class proposal 'dangerous' - Gonzi

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday described the Labour Party's reception class proposal as "dangerous and scandalous" especially because it had been floated without prior consultation with the stakeholders in education, such as teachers.

Speaking during a discussion programme on education at Villa Arrigo in San Pawl tat-Tarġa, Dr Gonzi said the Malta Union of Teachers had shot down the proposal. The MLP was saying this system was used in the UK and was misquoting Lord Adonis about this matter.

He explained that in the UK they have nursery, then reception, then primary school while Malta has kindergarten one and two and then children move on to primary school. The MLP was proposing kindergarten one and two, then reception class and then primary school.

Dr Gonzi said the Nationalist government had decided to invest a lot of money in schooling, especially for young children in the most important years of their lives.

Over the past four years, a total of 138 schools had been modernised and two new colleges were built because, he said, the government believed it was easier for children to learn in a bright, airy environment. He thanked the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools for their sterling work in this regard.

Dr Gonzi reiterated that the Matsec re-sit examinations will continue to take place in September and not in November or January, as the MLP was claiming.

The government would be offering bigger stipends for courses in professions most needed by the country.