The Malta Union of Teachers is calling for smaller classes and a review of syllabi in schools because of the “new challenges” brought about by the primary to secondary school transition reform.

The union said the reform necessitated the importance of differentiated learning, which would only be possible with smaller classes.

It added that the authorities should plan in advance to ensure an adequate teacher-student ratio was in place, along with reviewing primary and secondary syllabi, which was urgently required.

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day yesterday, MUT president John Bencini said globalisation had forced governments to recognise the importance of quality education, and Maltese teachers were among the best.

He lamented the shortage of fully qualified teachers, particularly in the primary sector. Only 12 primary school teachers graduated from University this year, he said, which constrained authorities to employ supply teachers.

He conceded that many more teachers were due to graduate at the end of the current academic year.

Next June, a national exam will be introduced at the end of primary school, testing pupils in maths, English and Maltese, after the Junior Lyceum entrance exams were scrapped and replaced by the three performance evaluation exams.

The result will be used to assess students’ strengths and weaknesses. The students will, however, carry on studying in mixed ability classrooms at secondary school level.

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