Education: the lost decade
Draft curriculum aims for flexibility
Prof. Kenneth Wain is second from right.
Malta lost 10 years in the life of its education system because politics between the government and teachers’ union prevented the National Minimum Curriculum from being implemented, according to Professor Kenneth Wain, the present curriculum’s main architect.
“It was this politics of stalemate between government and (Malta) Union (of Teachers) that set our educational system back and not the NMC... we wasted 10 years in the life of our system... and our students and the society in general suffered – 10 years wasted in education is a lifetime,” he said.
On Saturday former University Rector Fr Peter Serracino Inglott harshly criticised the implementation of the National Minimum Curriculum launched in 1999.
He said the curriculum was meant to be a minimum benchmark for what should be taught but instead it had been made into a cast iron dictum for teachers.
Prof. Wain said the purpose of the 1999 NMC – often criticised for imposing a rigid system – was misunderstood.
“The NMC is a general strategic plan that sets out the principles, targets and general objectives and the idea is to allow schools to work within the framework... it’s meant to be an empowering instrument... for schools to address the targets in their own way.
“The object is not to restrict but to ensure all children get their educational entitlement,” he said as he went on to outline the history of the NMC.
Carmel Borg, a co-author of document, echoed his colleague’s view, saying that despite the values of the , “many syllabi of the last 10 years continued to impose a teaching regime that left teachers breathless while privileging consumption of knowledge over, for example, higher-order cognitive skills.
“Such development is devaluing teachers’ role as intellectuals, relegating them to technicians... Unfortunately, little intellectual debate is informing local curricular developments,” he said.
Prof. Borg said the excessive use of peripatetic teachers (like specialised teachers) at primary level had promoted “atomisation of knowledge” and contradicted one of the high points of the – integrated learning – something the new framework seemed to address.
“Colleges have been hailed as a major structural reform promoted by the NMC. Unfortunately, teachers working within certain colleges feel they are being remotely controlled by the college principal rather than led by a school administration that is closer to their immediate teaching-learning realities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education, Grace Grima, yesterday held a meeting with Prof. Serracino Inglott, in which he aired his concerns.
Dr Grima recognised that the lack of flexibility allowed through the NMC was a main concern across the board but stressed that the new framework (launched in May for consultation) aimed to address this.
“In principle what Fr Peter was saying and what the framework is trying to do are very much on the same lines. They respect teacher and school professionalism, they allow for flexibility and we started with the premise that the framework should not be prescriptive,” she said.
Dr Grima said that at student and teacher level, the concept of creativity and innovation ran across all subjects.
When it came to the level of teacher, school and college, feedback received during consultation showed that “flexibility, professionalism and creativity are concepts that need to be nurtured”.
The document would be adapted to strengthen these values. When contacted, MUT president Kevin Bonello said the union was actively involved in drawing up the 1999 curriculum. However, at the time he was not involved in the union, which was headed by John Bencini, and he was not aware of the details. Mr Bencini could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mr Bonello agreed with Prof. Serracino Inglott that the way the curriculum had been implemented did not allow for flexibility in the classroom.
History
The idea to have a national curriculum was first raised in the 1988 Education Act by the new Nationalist government. At the time there was a centralised educational culture where the government imposed what had to be done in schools, Prof. Wain explained.
The first national curriculum was published in the early 1990s anonymously and without consultation. The 1999 document was done differently, following national consultation.
After the NMC was launched, then Education Minister Louis Galea set up a committee to draw up a five-year strategic plan for its implementation.
But when this was completed the MUT objected to its implementation over issues concerning teachers’ working conditions and responsibilities.
The union entered into a struggle with the government and neither side budged until 2007 with the “historic” government-union agreement.
In 2008 a process started to devise the new framework. The consultation process was launched in May this year and closes at the end of this month.
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Christian Sciberras
Dec 21st 2011, 22:45
Ironically, when I pointed out the bland fallacies in the present education system, I got nothing more than bad comments.
Then again, the people sway with the current, don't they?
Christian Sciberras
Jan 15th 2012, 00:05
No further comments is it? I rest my case.
Ms Gemma Axiaq
Dec 21st 2011, 12:02
"Dr Grima recognised that the lack of flexibility allowed through the NMC was a main concern across the board but stressed that the new framework (launched in May for consultation) aimed to address this.
“In principle what Fr Peter was saying and what the framework is trying to do are very much on the same lines. They respect teacher and school professionalism, they allow for flexibility and we started with the premise that the framework should not be prescriptive,” she said."
Nice words and, yes, it is what our schools need.... flexibility, room for innovation, creativity.... but in reality schools still do not know how the newly proposed NCF is going to ensure all this. The blog following Prof. Serracino Inglott's views on the NMC aired lots and lots of concern. Feedback given in by certain schools also shows administrators', teachers'. LSAs' and parents' preoccupations on the proposed NCF. Is it REALLY going to be the solution Prof Grima is proposing? Or is it going to be even more binding? Are ALL schools really going to benefit from the NCF? Or are some schools going to have to make a step backwards from good practices in order to comply? Some of us out here will surely NOT accept such a situation.
Carmel Grima
Dec 21st 2011, 08:48
The union entered into a struggle with the government and neither side budged- ghalija li kelli x'naqsam sew mat-tnejn, coe' kemm J.Bencini u kemm Louis Galea, ma humiex irgiel. Ta' l-ewwel giegheltu jirrezenja minn President tas-CMTU, u tat-tieni, b'ittra akkuzatorja ohra twarrab mill-Presidenza ta' Malta u eventwalment sab ruhu Brussels.
Charles Massa
Dec 20th 2011, 18:32
Allura dawn issa qed jitkelmu......fejn kienu matul dawn 10 snin????????????
Mauro Camilleri
Dec 20th 2011, 14:35
L-Edukazzjoni f'Malta f'dawn l-aħħar snin: Frotta sabiħa minn barra u bla togħma u mħassra minn ġewwa!
pat muscat
Dec 20th 2011, 14:05
An other GonziPN reform that went belly up! How many other failed reforms do we have to endure before GonziPn calls it a day? When one thinks of all those billions that were wasted in education it makes you cry! Pompous words, like foundations, colleges, 'skejjel ta ghada' etc etc etc are the order of the day at GonziPN, but when it comes to the nitty- gritty, all we are left with are just bubbles in the air!
Rocco Camilleri
Dec 21st 2011, 08:00
@pat muscat.
Well said pat, probably now Dr.Gonzi take the helm himself as he did with 'ARRIVA' and see results. As always said, not the new buildings, nice words, papers/booklets, documents etc; do the work!! but the teachers themselves . One can't speak from the offices chairs if not in contact facing the class.
P Buħaġiar
Dec 20th 2011, 14:00
Tinswex x'qal il-PM tagħna GonziPn, 'ikkritikawna fuq ir-riżultati ukoll'.
Karl Consiglio
Dec 20th 2011, 13:58
@Serracino Inglott,
Now you tell us?
j brincat
Dec 20th 2011, 13:07
@joseph saliba
Quote:The union entered into a struggle with the government and neither side budged until 2007 with the “historic” government-union agreement"
And whose fault was this?
Quote:"In 2008 a process started to devise the new framework. The consultation process was launched in May this year and closes at the end of this month"
What consultation process? When persons who are considered experts in their field, like Profs P Serracino Inglott and K Wain are speaking our loud to try and change the mind of those who 'devised the new framework'!
Quote:"The Hon Dolores Cristina has surely a lot to say when the time comes.But, such consultation process was not meant for partisan political propaganda"
So do you consider the input by the experts as political propaganda?
(jb)
ted darmanin
Dec 20th 2011, 13:06
This is not education , but instruction.
Teachers are considered as operators in a factory.
Pule' Carmel
Dec 20th 2011, 17:12
Not fair on operators because even operators have to keep their eyes open , use their intelligence and decide when to inform the authorities whan they detect that things are going wrong. In the case of factory opwrators if the factory authorities do not heed the words ot the operators, the factory product do not sell.
The same with teachers, if the educational authorities do not heed the teachers who work so closely with the product, then the product will suffer in many ways. Unfortunately in teaching the product takes years to detect that it is failing.
ted darmanin
Dec 20th 2011, 18:38
Yes EXACTLY
Joe Grech
Dec 20th 2011, 12:50
As often happens, the P.N. in government failed miserably to put its theories into actual practice. Now they are looking for a scapegoat to excuse their inefficiency and irresponsibility. They will say it's the MUT's fault!
What are the numerous Directors at the Education Department paid for I wonder? Like Dr. Louis Galea and Ms. Dolores Cristina (Ministers for Education) they failed to put the interests of Malta's children and youths uppermost. They produced the NMC with much fanfare then they dillied dallied and did not put it to actual practice - as usual, crass unaccountability reminiscent of past and present P.N. administrations and politicians.
I Bugeja
Dec 20th 2011, 12:48
In reality what is the bottomline?
We hear of how many schools open, how many are upgraded and how many thousands enter the university/MCAST. Until a couple of years ago I was a student myself at MCAST and the real interest was to justify the expenditure by enrolling students and giving out certificates after a 2 or 4 year term.
The reality is that both MCAST and the University are controlled by the government but while MCAST, similar to a new born baby has adapted better to current society, the UOM has its very autocratic levels of management which are difficult to manage and handle because they are the crem de la crem. Those which the country needs and cannot do without. Other colleges and schools cannot say the same and the power of teachers does not even go close.
Like anything else there are those who benefit from such situations and those who no matter how much they work for the benefit of their students, stay behind. I would like teachers to tell me what they think of this but I'm sure that many will read it none will reply (unless of course with a concealed name).
Dunstan Crockford
Dec 20th 2011, 12:48
I pity Minister Cristina..she does have too much assigned to her remit! Education should have a Ministry assigned to it.The future of our children is not something we could afford to play about with! There are far too many aspects of the Education Department which cannot be contolled from a Ministry with a remote control! Hands on and from a central building will surely help! Fr.Peter and now Prof. Kenneth Wain are no fools and they know what they are talking about!
The Auditor`s report showed lack of control in certain sections of this Ministry BUT our children`s education cannot be audited! imediate action is called for!
J Demicoli
Dec 20th 2011, 12:32
‘Draft curriculum aims at flexibility’ – how un/true is this statement!?
Does any one care that in tandem with the introduction of this NMC – or I should say before – the department has embarked on an aggressive cost cutting exercise?
One of the results of this exercise is that classes are now bigger than they were say last year. Could the learned professors aka technocrats drafting the NMC explain how a teacher is expected to prepare differentiated lesson adaptations for a class of say 25 mixed ability pupils. For this to be effective at least three adaptations must be made for each and every lesson.
Why is it that this innovative NMC expecting that primary school teachers are experts in all and sundry, from Maths to English, from reading to writing from P.E to Music etc. This apart from being many a time the class mentor for a myriad of social cases that comes her / his way in class!!
Is it true that the by removing peripatetic teachers now the teacher would even be faced with say taking the class for P.E. at least twice if not three times a week. How is it that before the visiting P.E. teacher would come and prepare the required recources – for after all P.E. is also a lesson – take the class as a Professional P.E. teacher. How, for example is a teacher who starts the day dressed casually as the profession requires, expected that at some time during the day carries out a PE lesson in same clothes? Is the teacher expected that she / he carries out the rest of the day without even showering afterwards? The same goes for other peripatetic subjects.
What about sharing of resources? Is it being envisaged now that resources would be available for each and every teacher?
What about inclusion?? It is true that now we have truly professional LSA. Is it also true however that the revered college system has left these educators fending practically on their own? Can somebody tell us how many inco’s does the department employ? What is the present proportion Inco / School ?
Last but not least allow me to say something about school autonomy. How are school budgets being controlled and audited?
One thing that this NMC will be doing is that it enforces the bureaucratic filling of forms, and paperwork by the teacher. Despite the introduction of many so called innovations mainly the college structure, teachers are feeling more de-motivated and burdened with so many checks and balances along the road.
Please dear learned technocrats remember that a teacher has a life as much as you do!! Remember also that apart from your ongoing almost daily new forms, requirements etc, the teacher has the students’ parents and many a time taking the brunt of it on their own as well. A de- motivated teacher will never breed motivated students.
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Dec 20th 2011, 13:26
Mixes abilities is the biggest living lie in history. They should be called mixed liabilities. Different needs need different teaching skills and calls. Multiculturalism is against nature, it will never work.
Rocco Camilleri
Dec 21st 2011, 08:27
Well said Malcolm. This is like saying mixing horses with donkeys and putting them on a race. As far as I know even horses are categorized when placed for a race. The Big Heads do not know the phrase that 'EASY SAID THAN DONE' . They are experimenting with the future generation by changes without even taking measures what went wrong or better. As far as I know or have been told 'St.Benedict College' - Kirkop had to be a pilot project , but no one gave us any results on its outcomes. Issa wasalna il-Hmar iwwahhal f'DENBU.
George Calleja
Dec 20th 2011, 12:29
Jissoghbini nghid li f'dal-pajjiz hawn hafna ghorrief u nies bravi, imma l-hasra hi li kollha kemm huma ghandhom interessi kbar u wiehed irid ibaxxi lil iehor f'dak li jkun qed isir. Minflok ma dawn l-ghorrief kollha joqghodu bil-qieghda madwar mejda wahda u jiddiskutu suggett partikulari, narawhom jikkritikaw dak li jkun ghamel xi gharef minnhom. Hekk dejjem konna u hekk jisher li se nibqghu!
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Dec 20th 2011, 11:45
Thank you Gonzi. Giving the education to Dolores Cristina was like betting that a Maltese football club will win the champions leauge.Dolores failed in everything. Yet Gonzi insists to keep her minister and give her the Euro 500 wage rise
Saviour M Garzia
Dec 20th 2011, 11:36
I hope no one in government state that he/she didn't knew about this. How about sending our politicians to learn what leadership and accountability means? We have to go forward the competition in the EU is enormeous, we can't waste time like this. Honorable ministers,secrateries roll up your sleeves and start working pls!!
joe attard
Dec 20th 2011, 11:24
Talking from experience, teachers give too much importance to themselves. NMC or whatever is not really the issue. The point is to go through the education system successfully and without too much pain so that one can get started with a career and learn the job from scratch be it a technician , engineer or lawyer. The education system , teachers included form part of the race .. competition for resources .. places at colleges and university , but contribute very little to the education of the individual. This education is primarily transmitted from the home and most parents who care for the education of their offspring pray that their work is not undone at school.
Gervais M. Cishahayo
Dec 20th 2011, 17:24
Mr Joe Attard, you are right to say that education is primarily transmitted from the home. No doubt about that! But remember that every one who holds a degree is not necessarily the daughter or sun of a university degree holder! It is important to acknowledge that the education is also a partnership and that the roles of parents and teachers are and must be complementary and never antagonistic. Don't forget that some parents are also teachers. While acrimonious selfish sectarianism and corner-building found in schools and elsewhere is unhealthy, positive competition can be motivating and beneficial! As for teachers importance in society, it is not more or less that that of other professions'! Remember the joke of the claim for importance by the body's parts?
Mr leo attard
Dec 20th 2011, 19:46
mr attard, then you might as well close down the schools and let the parents teach --- and i cant understand why there were so many parents who were arguing for longer school hours so they can go to work! and how can a parent teach physics or anything else for that matter if they themselves are not competent in those areas.... teaching is a 2-way process, teachers teach and students have to practise what's taught and there are many cases where the student needs to be 'pushed' and asisted at home.... so the govt claims of all the advances that have been made in the education system and they speak of record students going on to tertiary education ad then this Mr Wain comes along and says that the last 10 years were a loss to education! of course he is not going to acceot criticism of the NMC -- it's his 'baby'!
Mario Busuttil
Dec 20th 2011, 11:12
Mela irridu naghtu prosit hafna li zaghzah taghna ta kemm qed jirsistu ghal futur taghhom ghalkemm qieghedin 10 snin lura fl edukazzjoni ,ahseb u ara li kieku avvanzaw l 10 snin li tilfu....kieku irridu nitriplaw l Universita u l-MCAST......u prosit ukoll lill l-ghalliema taghna u il hidma li ghamel il Gvern ghal dawn l-ahhar snin, irridu inkomplu billi insahhu dejjem l-edukazzjoni ghal uliedna minghajr piki POLITICI.....
joseph saliba
Dec 20th 2011, 10:56
Education is an ongoing process. My mother was not wrong in her method of upbringing which differs from my sons' teaching their offsprings. Continuous, responsible consultation is imperative at all times. Keep up the good work.
Ivan Scicluna
Dec 20th 2011, 10:27
As usual, we are totally lost practicing politics as a priority and leaving the country second.
joseph saliba
Dec 20th 2011, 10:51
Talking about us (bloggers)?! On my part, I missed any political slant from the participants in the report above.
Gervais M. Cishahayo
Dec 20th 2011, 13:05
Agree... but may be the political interference can be discretely challenged at individual level by committed teachers? I joined the Education department as a casual supply teacher in 1997! I must concede credit and say that in most schools I taught, I always met authorities (not always!) who appreciated and supported my efforts. I fact, my teaching career lasted 14 years during which I had the opportunity teach in various schools, government and church schools.
While always working within the framework prescribed by the education authorities I still managed to promote and implement (at individual level) the principle of partnership between the students, teachers through their representative union(s), the parents and the school administration and education authorities. This was not without risks: In fact I left the teaching profession when I felt that my contribution was no longer welcome, however for the wrong or subjective reasons.
Looking back, in a few schools and together with enthusiastic colleagues we managed to motivate students who had a low self esteem and felt that they had been let down by the system. They went on to achieve impressive results either in the vocational professional training or the formal academic training. A number of students and parents bear testimony of this approach at individual level away from political interference as the only way forward.
Irrespective of the government of the day, quantitative statistics that have tended must not be promoted at the expense of quality and balance must be struck between unquestionable inclusive education and catering for high achievers equally well.
Its easier said than done as one must acknowledge that the education system shamefully remains a very important and sensitive fertile ground for political parties competition because of the important chunk of voters that education system encompass.
Lina Caruana
Dec 20th 2011, 10:12
As a former participant in discussions initiating the NMC I note with satisfaction that finally recognition has been voiced about necessities which have been long overdue. As has already been pointed out by Dr. Grima ,the lack of differentiation between the curriculum and syllabus is crucial in education. The NMC is a rationale as a tool for the needs of the country and child development for a future society . For the syllabi to respect those set objectives one must understand and respect the curriculum.Much has been lost in implementation because of a gross lack of clarity. Profs Waine has given a true to life picture of the battleground which has lost years in educational development because the system was loaded with a mentality that we were going too fast.This is not insurmountable however with the help of the faculty of education if teachers are trained to break down teaching in easy stages for the children instead of cramming, giving time to pupils to assimilate in their own working pace. It is a pity that the skillful expertise of some outstanding primary school teachers of the past has been lost. There were too many personalities who never gave a chance to anyone as if all threats came from without and not from within. Another perspective is that of building empires within the system which greatly hinder the holistic aim of education and the use of intellectual abilities with a lot of overlap stressing the children and wasting precious time.
JOE INGUANEZ
Dec 20th 2011, 10:02
IS THE TEACHING PROFESSION ALWAYS THE INNOCENT PARTY?
JI
j brincat
Dec 20th 2011, 09:43
What does Dolores Cristina have to say now, after all this negative criticism from all quarters and which matter?
According to Prof Wain we have already lost a decade. Let's hope that we do not lose a quarter of a century.
We cannot temper with the education system.
(jb)
D M Grech
Dec 20th 2011, 10:24
One way or another, we have missed many opportunities during the last 35 years.
joseph saliba
Dec 20th 2011, 10:43
Please not:
"At the time there was a centralised educational culture where the government imposed what had to be done in schools, ..."
"The union entered into a struggle with the government and neither side budged until 2007 with the “historic” government-union agreement.
"In 2008 a process started to devise the new framework. The consultation process was launched in May this year and closes at the end of this month.
The Hon Dolores Cristina has surely a lot to say when the time comes.But, such consultation process was not meant for partisan political propoganda.
Jimmy Magro
Dec 20th 2011, 09:33
The debate goes on.
The losers are the students and our future generation.
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 20th 2011, 09:24
It-tieni docca din ghal minn jahseb li jaf hafna.
Please choose the reason of your report below: