Some positive developments took place in the student-teacher placement situation following discussions between the interested parties, the Opposition noted this morning.

Addressing a news conference, Labour spokesman Evarist Bartolo said that discussions were held between the Faculty of Education, the directorate, and state and non-state schools.

In a press conference yesterday, Mr Bartolo noted that enrolment restrictions to various B.Ed. courses could be eased if the government made it mandatory for Church schools to provide student-teacher placements.

He noted that last Friday, the Faculty of Education announced that a number of B.Ed. subject areas would only be accepting a limited number of students.

As a result, several students who had applied for their favoured course at the end of July risked being left out of University, or having to enrol in a course they did not favour

In another conference this morning, Mr Bartolo said that he had been informed by the dean of the faculty that the number of placements had been increased.

This was because:

Non state schools had agreed to take on more placements;New teachers would also be assigned student teachers;The number of student teachers in Gozo would be increased; andStudent teachers would also be provided with supply teachers.

Discussions were also taking place on the reform of the student teacher placement system. The minister suggested possibly raising entry requirements to B.Ed. and PGCE courses.

However, this could only be done with two years advance notice.

Mr Bartolo noted that the non-state schools which agreed to take on more student-teachers did so on condition that their own teacher remained in class during practice.