New reception class version will divide school children - Gonzi

Ms Bernie Mizzi - Principal - Chiswick House School

Mar 3rd 2008, 11:04

Chiswick House School
The Kindergarten Programme at Chiswick House School starts at Reception Class – an optional class for pupils aged 2½ to 3. These children then proceed to Kg I – they are joined at this level by other three-year olds who start school at this level. They are promoted to Kg II where the children are generally four-year olds. At the start of their Junior Education in Junior I most are 5 years old. Therefore it is quite apparent that our ‘Reception Class’ is not the same educational concept that the Malta Labour Party’s manifesto (p.36, No.10) has in mind. Our students end their compulsory education programme at 16 like all other Maltese students. Since we have also opened a Sixth Form College, students may opt to take on this post-secondary course.
For more information please visit www.chs.edu.mt

luke gatt

Feb 29th 2008, 19:11

the 'reception year' already exists in Malta we have a 2 year kinder so this already exists!!! i do not see the point of another year. change the why subjects are thought please!!!

Mark Caruana

Feb 28th 2008, 16:54

I have a 2yr old son and obviously I am dirctly interested in this issue. Can some one explain me why Chiswick and San Anton schools have 'reception' class included in their junior programme. This means 3 yrs in Kinder. Are these schools 'experementing' with pupils? I just made a simple search on the Internet. These are the links were these two elite schools explain how the programme is setup:

http://www.sananton.edu.mt/aboutus/JuniorSector.html

http://www.smc.edu.mt/smc/content.aspx?id=34686

Fleur Hili

Feb 28th 2008, 12:48

So Dr.Sant wants to give the children back their childhood , fair enough but by what means? By making them start their Kinder years at the age of TWO!!!! TWO???? Most two year olds, like mine, are still in diapers and still hang on to their parents like lost souls and you tell me its a good idea?

R Abela

Feb 27th 2008, 22:23

I am a father of four kids.

My wife always attended government schools, while I attended church schools. Both of us reached tertiary education through what was the Student Worker scheme in the late 1980s. Our parents come from the working class.

With four young kids, with an age ranging from five years to eleven years, I feel that I could speak through experience in education. Moreover I am involved in lecturing both univeristy students and technical students - groups coming from totally different levels of education.

My eldest son was born in March, while my youngest was born in November. My eldest son joined in the Kinder 1 when he was 3 years old, in the April intake. Following the first 3 months at Kinder 1 level, in September of the same year he joined again Kinder 1 and the following September Kinder 2. Therefore he spent two scholastic years + 3 months at kinder level and started Primary at the age of five and a half years.

My youngest son started Kinder 1 with the January intake at the age of three years and two months and started Kinder 2 in September of the same year. He started Primary this year at the age of four years and ten months (i.e 7 months younger than my eldest son).

My eldest son today is at Year 6 preparing for the 11+ exams. He is in an A class and nearly the whole class have been together since kindergarten level. Ergo! The maturity which all the students in this age group have reached because they were 'repeaters' at Kinder 1 was a bonus throughout.

Unfortunately I have a different story to tell on my youngest son. He is still finding it very difficult to follow up at Year 1. If there had been the reception class (or 'repeater' class - call it whatever you like). I am 100% convinced that he will reach the level of education which my eldest son has reached till now, without putting too much stress on himt.

By the way, my other two kids are at the in-between level - and I've sent none of them to private lessons.

My conclusion are:

1. There is no need for a reception class for those children who are born in the first quarter of the year since they already have such a class at Kinder 1 level.

2. There is definitely need for a reception class for those children who are born in the last quarter of the year.

I think the implementation of this matter should be discussed in more detail with the people involved in education and parents following the 8th March when all this electoral tension is released and when there will be an Education Minister ready to hear and implement what is best for our children.

P.Incorvaja

Feb 27th 2008, 19:24

We just cannot experiment for a 5 year period and allow ourselves to be manipulated and fooled, in the hope that change for change's sake will produce some form of ethopia.
until we get a decent opposition, (for everybody's sake) we really have no option but to retain what we have and improve on it.

Mario C. Ellul

Feb 27th 2008, 17:55

Dear Mr. Carlo Mifsud, allow me to quote you: “You mention Bro Martin having denied what Dr Sant said. Can you refer me to any news paper quoting this? I have not found this anywhere so maybe you can let us know?”. You should have watched all of yesterday's news bulletins. There was a direct interview with Bro. Martin during which he categorically denied all and everything said about De La Salle having introduced or are introducing some sort of added class/year. If you have missed it, you can always phone De La Salle and ask there as many parents have already done.

R Agius

Feb 27th 2008, 16:55

Joe Galea - You suggest to R Zammit that he/she purchase a dictionary. I hope, as a concerned parent, you do not teach the English language, for your grasp of grammar is absolutely atrocious! Maybe a product of Malta Socjalista?

IRO the ‘proposal’ – if you followed the campaign carefully you will have noticed Alfred Sant’s almost total back down on Bondi+ when he was clearly unable to defend his initiative – now coming up with the brilliant idea that private schools need not adopt the repeater year!

The great intellectual Alfred Sant must be a brilliant educator too!

Renato J. Costigan

Feb 27th 2008, 16:35

Mr. Galea.
I think you are the same.

YUHUUU. Everybody is laughing and laughing. You said that GonziPN is the 'Tal-Farfett' party.

By saying this you seem that you have lost your ARGUMENT. If you are a teacher, it is a shame of you like the past of your party.

W E L L D O N E

Mario Mercieca

Feb 27th 2008, 16:09

Its not character assasination, its just because we feel he is inapt (proved) to be our PM. Secondly I have found a way round to the reception class by sending my 2 year old sun to private kinder and then starting Year one at a goverment schooli since I cannot afford to keep him there. This way he will wave bye bye to his repeating same aged students. This is becoming a tragedy only that I cannot allow my son to be a victim.

Renato J. Costigan

Feb 27th 2008, 15:53

Dear Mr. Galea:-

You blasted a big balloon when you said you are a teacher. I would like to ask a question already asked to you previosly.

What is called a class between the kinder 1 and 2 ie the reception class...... (REPEATING THE SAME SYLLABUS OF THE KINDER)...... and the primary class?

And mind you when I mentioned the words 'BAZWAR L-HEMM' and 'BAZWAR L-HAWN' are words mentioned by Dr. Sant. Just a reminder.

Alex Vella

Feb 27th 2008, 14:57

Thanks for the info K. Caruana.

Now, include the age of when the students finish their compulsory education, of all those countries, in your equation. And try to come up with the same conclusion!!

James De Giorgio

Feb 27th 2008, 14:44

As an education student, we have discussed this proposal in detail at university. We think it would be a "good" idea if it HAD to be introduced (it is not in fact necessary), but introduced after primary school, not before it, as a year seven measure.

But then again, if certain students do not make it or do not learn well/enough during eleven years of compulsory schooling, WHO says that they will learn it all during the reception/repeater year?

What will children do so worthwhile repeating another year? Spending a year in reception drawing, singing, playing and pulling each other's hair.

Wendy Borg

Feb 27th 2008, 14:08

Such a pity Sant doesn't stop the speculation and bickering at once by stating that the kinder 2 year will be converted to a reception class year. That ll put a quick damper on the whole argument.

When you come to think of it, there are other things that could be improved on. One for instance is the system of intermediates at 6th form level. These are in my opinion a poor replacement of the previous three A level system which was unwisely tampered with in the early 90s. Ask science students taking up chemistry at university level today. They re faced with calculus which they would have never touched upon at the 6th form level. This is as Physics at intermediate level completely ignores the all important derivitising and integrating of formulae. Thus anyone taking Chemistry and Biology at A level would find the going tough during the first year of a Bachelors degree for the combination of the two subjects. I know too well as I was faced with this situation myself when I entered university a way back.

The whole system of intermediates and systems of knowledge for that matter should really be revisited.

Joseph Galea

Feb 27th 2008, 14:07

Dear Carlo Mifsud, you are wrong in saying that nowhere in the world there was a one-man party. In malta we had..Tal-Farfett...now...GonziPN!! hehe

Joseph E. Attard

Feb 27th 2008, 13:15

Referring to Mr. Galea and Mr. Mifsud, I tend to agree, rather than discussing and suggesting improvments on political issues and arguments, some bloggers, the pro-goverment ones are ending up in a character assasination.. look at all the blogs in all threads and you see vemon coming out against Dr. Sant. Why is this vemon coming out continuosly, as if Labour party = Dr. Sant. I really think that political parties are made up of a number of valuable people who submit themselves for the verdict of the general public, some of whom are elected, others are not. When we go to the polls, we vote for individuals, who in turn, make up a whole party. Why is there the need for a constant character assasination? Not because it's Dr. Sant, it could have been Dr. Gonzi. I appeal for maturity and good objective, sense of logic. After all, if we are pin-pointing an individual, i think, things work out against the PN because after all, the campaign of the PN is fused with Dr.Gonzi: GONZIPN. So I really think that rather than "shooting" against Dr. Sant and his policies, why don't we discuss politics at a higher, mature level which will really improve the well being of our country and its people?

Corinne Vella

Feb 27th 2008, 12:54

Joe Galea, Alfred Sant is "not your leader" - ah, but he certainly wants to be, doesn't he? That's why everyone wants to know what he's going to do next. Or do you believe that being a party leader and being PM are really one and the same thing?

Carlo Mifsud

Feb 27th 2008, 12:46

Dear Mr Gauci Cunningham. I am too an old student of De La Salle - left some 18 Years ago - and no we did not have a reception class at the time! But if you visit http://www.dlsmalta.org/dls/primary/index.html This is the official De La Salle College primary school page where by they already have a 'Summer Reception Programme'. Is this any different? Maybe its not a full year but schools have already identified the need to have a 'reception programme'. What MLP (please note MLP not one individual) is putting forward to a debate is to widen this concept - together with a radical change in the curriculum - which is overdue. I left Malta 6 years ago and my then 4 yr old had already been writing sentences (copying more than writing) for over 2 years! In the UK (and this is not perfect) kids do not get to write, imaginative not copying, until they are 5 or 6. They emphasise on learning by play over the first years, reading and basic writing using their imagination and not copying the same lines time and again, making small stories - which is more important to kick start their brains rather than get them to repeat what they are told! (You can see the effect of repeating sentences in childhood today in opinions expressed here) The reception class proposal is to widen the number of years kids learn their basic skills - and please stop scaring parents about how they will be kept back! Or how now - according to Dr Sapiano - they have to find more money to send them to private schools so they don’t repeat a year. I would have expected a clever man like Dr Sapiano to come up with better - educational - arguments, rather than getting confrontational and using ‘scare the parents’ tactics! Education process needs to continually be updated to reflect the current and future needs. Oh and Mr Gatt. You mention Bro Martin having denied what Dr Sant said. Can you refer me to any news paper quoting this? I have not found this anywhere so maybe you can let us know?

Gabriel Camenzuli

Feb 27th 2008, 12:28

Mr. Buttigieg. It is not true that the Chiswick House School is a reception class. It is part of the two years of the Kindergarten. I attended the Chiswick House school and fortunately i did not repeat any class. Get your facts right!

Joe Galea

Feb 27th 2008, 12:28

Dear R Zammit, before you speak you better be informed. When you have ended your blog saying: "Private schools use different techniques to help children transit from level to level - they do not mess with curricula or add years to schooling as Dr Sant proposed – iswed fuq l-abjad!"....Do you know that in the last 10 years the curriculum was changed twice by the government? I am a teacher, so maybe I am directly involved. Can you tell us what your competencies in the Education sector is? By the way do you know the meaning of the word PROPOSAL? I think it's better you buy yourself a dictionary.

E. Tabone

Feb 27th 2008, 12:10

I invite Joe Galea to explain what a Reception Class is... since we're not the scholars that he would like us to be... Please explain Mr Galea. Enlighten me!

Renato J. Costigan

Feb 27th 2008, 12:10

Dear Mr. Joe Galea:- For the sake of the argument let's say I am not an expert. You are the expert (although I don't know you). What is called that class between the kinder 1 and 2.....reception class (doing the same syllabus).....and the primary class. I am not only a GonziPN repeater but a full PN supporter and I am proud with NO REGRETS and a good DNA because I still remember the 1970s, 1980s and the 96/98.
YEARS OF SHAME. Who twisted in his own way? It was Alfred Sant who twisted this issue on Bondi+, saying now that this is not for private/church schools, when three days before on the programme Xarabank said this is for every school including private/church schools.
Sant said that this is going to be put for consultation when some days ago said that he already discuss it with the MUT. But on the other hand this union denied every consultation made.
Every project mentioned by Sant is being put for consultation, discussion, commission etc. etc. All these have to be discussed beforehand and not afterwards. The 'MY' or 'NO WAY' was used during the past 5 years for the Referendum, low cost airlines, the Euro and many others. Let me remind you a phrase Dr. Sant said between 96/98. 'Gwerra Gwerra Gwerra'. Ok, do you remember this.
Is it 'arrogance' and 'dictatorship' imposing whether you like it or not. Example the 1981 election. Again NO REGRETS. When A. Sant is alone he says whatever he wants but when he is face to face with others like Georg Sapiano he is a loser.
Well done Georg.When you begin to lose, you will begin to point out to everything to defend yourself like as you said 'body language'. And I stop there. About the hatred see the the past who said NO REGRETS. Regards to your last paragraph I leave it to you who is a parrot. But don't forget who throws mud, his hands are dirty with mud.

R Buttigieg

Feb 27th 2008, 11:51

I do not think that issues concerning the future of our children should be placed within an electoral plan. These things should be free of any biased reflections. It is not right that all is portrayed either good or bad by any side of the parties. Issues like these ar eto be reflected upon by each and every person concerned including parents and even a delegation of students who DO NOT form part of any political party.

Pleople in malta need to start thinking with their brains and not act upon what political leaders say. At ball there is the education that we are to give our kids. By looking at how people are commenting, I can see that common sense lacks in these islands as we are being constantly manipulated by the words of good Orators.

Carlo Mifsud

Feb 27th 2008, 11:47

Well said Joe Galea! But I suspect very few will abandon their style of just repeating till infinity what their party has 'brainwashed' them in saying.

Just one more point. Have you ever seen anywhere in the world a political party which belongs to one person? Blair, Clinton, Bush and so many others have always made it clear that the party is bigger than one person! I cannot believe that the candidates and future ministers (wishful thinking - unless they were in the right red DEAL box) of the PN can let themselves and their representatives down so much! They are portraying themselves as the most incapable of politicians ever. Even Pullicino is happy that Gozi is taking over from him after 10 years of failures! He is happy to be given something else to mess up then Gonzi will take it to fix it! What is the point of the PN submitting so many candidates if Gonzi on his own will fix everything?

Oh and by the way! Just like Mr Galea I too had a number of comments submitted but few made it through the selection! Wonder why again!

K Caruana

Feb 27th 2008, 11:31

Dear All

Please note that the compulsory age of starting school (primary education) differs across European countries.

Eurydice reports that only Malta, the Netherlands, Scotland and Wales have a compulsory school starting age (primary level) for 5 year old children.

It reports that the remaining European countries have a school starting age of six or seven years as shown below:

6 years: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, etc.

7 years: Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden etc.

This shows that local students would not be disadvantaged with their European counterparts if a reception class is introduced at pre-primary level.

In addition, some countries consider allowing children who have not yet reached compulsory schooling age to attend primary education, but this only happens on a limited scale.

Eurydice is a European information network on education on which even Malta participates.

Joe Galea

Feb 27th 2008, 11:04

Dear bloggers, it seems that your only aim in life is to pinpoint any mistake made by Dr. Sant. Yes he was inexact by mentioning De La Salle though there a slight form of reception class in summer is held. But I think this is not the point.
Definitely this is just a battle against Dr. Sant since your hatred towards him is unbelievable. I don't know why you hate him so much. If you claim that he is inconsistent, not worthy, a blunder, etc whatever you have said about him, you should be very happy that MLP has a weak leader like you make it as a point. If I were you I wouldn't waste so much time and energy attacking every single syllable he pronounces as he is so insignificant. Why do you hate him so much? He is not your leader. He is not worthy (what you say repeatedly).
Please explain to me why your campaign is just a mean assassination of character.

Mario C. Ellul

Feb 27th 2008, 10:38

The least I would have expected is that after so many years in opposition shouting out loud that discussions about this and that are being held with everbody, is that the proposals are already worked out and not are still to start after the election. Yesterday we heard another about Maghtab being turned into a golf course, but after consultations with the experts. We heard the one about making Valletta an island, again consultations are yet to start. And the list goes on…..
How was the time in opposition spent? Is this the way to prepare for an election?
It is arrogance of the highest order to expect people to be so gullible and stupid. Where ignorance reigns, socialism is supreme overlord.

Joseph E. Attard

Feb 27th 2008, 10:23

Mr. Galea is right in his views. In my personal opinion, some people, though not all, tend to summarize certain news items. I find Gonzi's reaction on the reception class a being a bit confusing and slightly emotional to say the least. I see all this as embarking on the emotions of the Maltese parents who care a lot of their children, just as I do. What's interesting is that no one of the pro-government bloggers referred to Mr.Bencini's (MUT secretary general) latest interview with One TV when and where he clearly said that the "MUT has nothing against the concept of the reception class" and he added that "I can't understand why this issue against the reception class is being raised now during an election campaign".. does that say enough? May I remind all of you that the ideology of the reception class was raised 2 years ago by the labour party but, strategically enough, the PN is bombarding it now, in a professional, emotional way few days before the election.

Anthony Mizzi

Feb 27th 2008, 10:18

It is not the new reception class version that is dividing school children but the way Dr. Gonzi made political capital of the issue. Reception class was a proposal in the M.L.P document published over 2 years ago.

Why has Dr. Gonzi made an issue of it now? He just made it to gain political advantage through the uncertainty created in parents/ minds.

The concept of Reception class , is already used in private schools especially in summer terms and I feel with healthy discussion between all the parties involves , it will at the end of the day provide a good support to the overall education system.

Andrew Demanuele

Feb 27th 2008, 09:45

Our education system is solid having its own deficiencies. Proof of this is the many students that graduated in their own area & made success of it, which quantifies to thousands. If I were to change something it would be the 'Juniour Lyceum' exams & perhaps come up with a better system after Form5 for a better transition to post secondary education.
Hence, leaving Dr.Sant to ruin an already good system & push us ten yards backwards instead of one forward is a risk I'm not willing to take.
To all you so called 'undecided' voters; if you are looking for an answer this is definetly one of them. You have the duty towards the rest of the Maltese to make an informed decision.

R Zammit

Feb 27th 2008, 09:15

Mr Buttigieg. Hear hear!! If anything National debate is what we require - not a proposal to insert an additional year between kindergarten and primary school - without any consultation with anyone!

Dr Sant proposed an additional year in kindergarten - THREE years of kindergarten - we all heard him utter the words. Unless you want to pretend you did not hear him say it!

Now we will all sit back and await Chiswick House School's denial just like De La Salle and any other school you can choose to mention.

Private schools use different techniques to help children transit from level to level - they do not mess with curricula or add years to schooling as Dr Sant proposed – iswed fuq l-abjad!

Trevor De Giorgio

Feb 27th 2008, 09:12

Just a slight correction to what was written by Malcolm Buttigieg. If one visits their website one realises that Chiswick House School impements a reception class for children aged 2 and a half till 3 years of age. Following this reception class the child will start Kinder 1, followed by Kinder 2 and then Junior School. On the other hand the MLP's proposal of a repeater year would be implemented between the 2 years of kindergarden and Junior School. A completley different system to that used by Chiswick House.

Joe Galea

Feb 27th 2008, 08:42

Dear Mr. RJ Costigan, it seems that you (and other bloggers) have nothing else to do than repeating like a parrot what Gonzi almighty says or what you hear on NET TV (which reminds me of the serial Mc. Gyver where all lies become truth). Ok, since you are all experts of education please can anyone seriously explain what is reception class? Please spare me the phrase "it is a repeater class"...this what the GonziPN have brainwashed in you. I really can't believe that there are people out there who reduce their being to just being Gonzi repeaters. Wooow what en existence!! Why am I saying so. Before talking about what Sant said on Bondi+ on the Reception Class PROPOSAL should be quoted in full and not part of it so GonziPN can interpret it in his own twisted way to scare people with something which is just a proposal. Sant affirmed that the Reception class issue will be put forward for discussion with all the interested parts including parents, then if it is decided that it is no good, there's nothing to do than not implementing. Is it so bad to come up with an idea (taken from other countries which already implement it) and put it forward for discussion? Are we reducing politics to "MY or NO WAY" or to the fact that GonziPN has the only divine right to speak? Yes Labour will put forward proposals, then after serious discussions with everyone it will be decided if implemented or not. THIS IS DEMOCRACY!!! Can't you see the level of ARROGANCE and DICTATORSHIP GonziPN has led us into? Couldn't you see the way Georg Sapiano behaved in Bondi+? Have you seen his body language? Aren't you feeling the hatred that GonziPN, it's media and all apologists are disseminating? And they claim to be the perfect Catholics and portray themselves as saints.
This is a GonziPN campaign based solely on hiding all the GonziPN cabinet and focussing on Gonzi as he is the saviour of this country and that if he is not elected, the sun won't go up, we all die of hunger and maybe some other cataclysm will happen. The latest billboard of GonziPn is really hilarious: "Gonzi jgib ix-xoghol" ...oh my God...we have the second coming of the Christ in the form of Gonzi!!!
P.S. I have previously written 4 blogs on other articles and The Times only published one...why?

Malcolm Buttigieg

Feb 27th 2008, 08:15

Dr Gonzi should consider his words carefully before he utters anything like the headlines of this article.

If he truyly knows the present situation with regards to the educational system, which I doubt, he should know that a number of private shcools already have a reception class.

Chiswick House School is an example.

We need a national debate followed by a serious implentation to improve the educational system to give students the basuc skills to continue learning on their own after leaving classrooms or lecture rooms.

Education should never stop.

Renato J. Costigan

Feb 26th 2008, 22:46

Another 'BAZWAR l-hemm' and ' BAZWAR l-hawn' issue. So as Dr. Gonzi said. Those children who attend the private/church schools will be employed before those attending government schools. Another injustice created by Dr. Sant to the parents. Well done Dr. Sant for creating this indifference between the children.

Albert gauci Cunningham

Feb 26th 2008, 22:46

it is NOT true that de La Salle has a reception class.............I am an ex student of this college and I repeat this is not the case................. is it possible that some people are still 'undecided" ??

Reuben Demicoli

Feb 26th 2008, 22:25

Alfred Sant’s reception year is CET all over. He has taken a concept and extrapolated it in his own intellect and decided this is a panacea for our (perceived) education problems.

Many will remember the clips of his CET meetings with the self employed and the knots he was getting himself into; the decisions he was making on the fly – all totally superficial without any practical consideration. Here again I can the sessions in school halls between an audience of parents and teachers and the great intellectual (vide the latest biography by Frans Sammut) – the off the cuff statements, the instances where he looks round to the poor unsuspecting soul grudgingly on the panel for an answer which never emanates and then penning a note and in business management style stating – “We’ll work on it and get back to you!”.

The great intellectual has messed up his major proposals for this election – the unachievable surplus halving – including the latest decision where the self employed have taken him to the cleaners!; the unworkable, short sighted overtime proposal and now the Reception class that will increase the pre Primary years to THREE!

On Bondi+ and Xarabank he could not even defend his own proposals. This election campaign has been characterized by MLP fumbling showing them up for the rank amateurs they really are!

This from a man that has told us ad nauseum that the MLP is well prepared for an election whenever it is called.

If it were not so scary it would be a total farce and God help us this man might be Prime Minister in less than a fortnight.

J. Borg

Feb 26th 2008, 22:04

Kinder Sorpresa - The MLP Educational Concept
An interesting fact about the person being hailed as a strong supporter of this "repeater"class, Lord Adonis, has been criticized for not believing in the UK's educational system for which he was responsible when he considered sending his children to a private German Speaking school which charges fees of £3000 per year. (Daily Mail - 25.01.07).Incidentally, it was also reported that Lord Adonis was handed his peerage so he could act as an education Minister in the Lords (25.01.07).
The Conservatives' schools spokesman, Nick Gibb, challenged the claim that education was the passion of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"After 10 years of his being in government, two out of five 11 year olds are still leaving primary school without mastering the basics," said Mr Gibb. (21:40 07.08.2007)

E Gatt

Feb 26th 2008, 21:38

On Bondi+ to prove his point Alfred Sant said that some private/church schools are already introducing some oform of reception class. When challenged by Lou Bondi, Sant mentioned De La Salle. This has been denied by Bro. Martin of De La Salle. How much more can we accept this from Alfred Sant!