Schools are normally informed about changes in the syllabus in the beginning of the scholastic year. This year was no different. Changes have been made insofar as the selection of the learning outcomes and topics are concerned. The workload amounts to more or less the same as that of the past three years. Before 2007 learners were expected to study all the topics in the syllabus, and it is only recently - in the past three years - that schools were informed about the selected topics for the annual and Junior Lyceum entrance examinations. This is in response to feedback from teachers, parents and pupils who continue to point out that the 2006 teaching syllabus covers too many topics that need to be studied for the 90-minute written examination.
The selected content for this year is covered in the three official publications of the Education Directorate. These textbooks need to be used selectively and at times, teachers are inclined and encouraged to use other resources to supplement these and make lessons more interesting and engaging for learners in this dynamic subject. Professional teachers are doing this regularly in addressing their students' needs and interests.
During the past scholastic year, the Education Officer responsible for Social Studies in primary schools carried out more than 150 classroom visits and used every opportunity to discuss with teachers issues related to the subject in general and to the syllabus and examination in particular.
Moreover, there was wide consultation with Year 6 teachers via electronic means during the past year. The selection of this year's topics was based on this extensive feedback process and on the outcome of discussions with educational officials responsible for History and Geography in our schools. In this context it is surprising how the Malta Union of Teachers made the statement that "decisions were being made without the involvement of teachers who had to implement the decisions". MUT president John Bencini's comment, reiterated twice in the article titled Revision Goes Down The Drain As Social Studies Syllabus Is Changed (October 12) cannot be further from the truth, and is unjust to the sterling work of the Education Officers who offer support to teachers in schools on a regular basis.
The Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education is currently undergoing a Social Studies review which is expected to be completed by the end of this scholastic year. This process naturally involves the participation of teachers in the state and non-state sectors and all major stakeholders.
As a final note, Minister Dolores Cristina is on record stating that she is considering doing away with the Social Studies in the Junior Lyceum examination as part of the transition from primary to secondary school reform process. The ministry has analysed all the feedback from the national consultation process and final decisions will be announced in the coming days following the final clarifications with stakeholders, including the Church authorities.