Parents’ concern over benchmark exams

I refer to the article Parents Express Concern On Benchmarking Exams (March 28) with regard to the petition concerning the new benchmark exam. This was badly interpreted and I would like this issue to be clarified.

The petition highlighted the lack of planning and proper preparation since the curriculum is not yet confirmed and the students have to sit for the benchmark exams by the beginning of June.

This concern was expressed after attending the public seminar conducted by Sandro Spiteri. The parents from different localities and teachers from both state and Church schools were invited to this seminar where the new forms of creative writing were introduced.

When Mr Spiteri gave information regarding the new forms of writing tasks, he was bombarded from several parents and teachers as they all expressed their concern that their students are not at all prepared for this change. Therefore, Mr Spiteri asked instantly whether the parents would agree if the authorities organised training sessions in the evenings for the students for this purpose.

The parents feel the authorities are running very late with the final planning and curriculum. Indeed, the petition signed by the parents made it clear this was in no way the schools’ or the teachers’ fault. In fact, heads and teaching staff are just as worried as the parents and children involved are.

The parents have only praise for the administration and staff of Fgura primary school.