Question on divorce in exam paper

With reference to the question on divorce asked in the Matsec Religion O-level paper I would like to ask: does anyone dream of questioning an examiner’s intention when he sets a question based on the syllabus in any particular subject?

I can understand that those who are not familiar with the O-level syllabus for Religion might be tempted to assume that by this question “students were being exploited by the campaign against divorce” in view of the current debate and referendum.

This is far from the truth. In my teaching career I have taught Religion for 38 years in state secondary schools. Obviously when treating the subject of marriage and divorce there have been many heated discussions in class. Yet at the end I pointed out that Christ knows what is good for men and women. Even though his teaching on the indissolubility of marriage seemed controversial even in his own time, nevertheless it is the only path for a stable society.

One must not be surprised that students who in their examination answer in favour of divorce legislation fail that particular question. Since the Religion O-level examination is testing the student’s knowledge of the Catholic faith it cannot be otherwise. If the examiner marks as correct such an answer he would not be coherent with the aim of the examination, thereby diminishing its credibility. This does not necessarily mean that the student fails the whole examination.

It is common knowledge that questions on marriage and divorce in O-level examinations have occurred frequently throughout the years. As far as I know no one ever raised an eyebrow.