Matsec system changes announced
A period of five years has been granted for students to achieve their Matriculation Certificate, instead of the current one year.
The change was approved by the University Senate. It comes into force from the next session of the Matsec exams in September.
The government in a statement said this would mean a better chance of success for Sixth Form students as well as youths and adults who wished to return to education.
It also announced that vocational subjects will be added to the subjects of the Secondary Education Certificate and the Matriculation Certificate.
The ministry said that as in the case of international exams, the changes would make the examinations system more flexible and reduce pressure on students.
It said the changes are the fruit of a working group set up by Education Minister Dolores Cristina in 2010 within the National Commission for Higher Education.
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Joanne Micallef
Jun 27th 2012, 14:10
Can the journalist please specify if the post secondary period will be of 5 instead of 2 years or if this news means that students have 5 years to resit just the subjects which they would have failed
C. Mallia
Jun 28th 2012, 09:29
The post secondary period will be of 2 years. The main difference will be that students now are not obliged to sit for all exams if they got a low overall grade, but only for those subjects in which they failed.
Mr Michael Debono
Jun 27th 2012, 10:30
Having some experience in connection with the MATSEC examinations, this experience shows the following The present position is for students attending Secondary schools spend 4 Years studying and 5th year revising an sitting for the O levels. That means 5 years course.Normally this 5th year applies to students at 16 years to 18 years.
Then they follow a two year course at the junior college and sit for the A levels and a couple of intermediate levels,Students have in the meantime reached 18 years though some individuals do it at 16, 17 years.
Now the change to 5 year course applies to those preparing for the A levels and intermediate levels. This must be cleared and not just say prolong the course to 5 years not specifying the course.
In other words instead of a 2 year course to get A levels one has to spend 5 years at the Junior College.
The latter system seems to be understood.
Is this not a retrograde decision.?Why not let students who can sit for A levels to do it in 2 years time.
It seems that something happened and the Ministry in haste changed a 2 year course into a 5 year course.
Abroad the course to enter the University after obtaining the O levels requires a 2 year course only and sit for the Baccalaureat first and second year which are equivalent to the intermediate and to the A levels. Mostly taken at 18 years the year of entrance to the Universities.
Something has happened that pushed the education authorities to enlarge the time to obtain the A Levels from 2 years to 5 years.
Entrance to university has been pushed back to 20 years for the good students. More for the other less bright.such as 23 years; the adult age accepted by the University.
David Buttigieg
Jun 28th 2012, 12:41
I think you're mistaken. The increase from one year to five years is only for those who haven't achieved their certificate in one year (first sit & resit). Now (FINALLY) they have the chance to re-try for their failed subjects ONLY and add these to their previously achieved subjects. This can be done over a span of 5 years.
For instance, that is exactly what has happened to me back in 2008. I studied Maths & Physics 'A'level but managed to achieve only Physics in 2008. Then in 2009 I had to re-sit for both, and this time round I failed Physics and achieved Maths, purely because I focused more on the latter. Theoretically I had achieved both examinations but I could not apply for the engineering degree.
Thank God I could continue my studies at MCAST, to which I am very thankful, and hopefully soon I will be getting my degree too.
Mrs Theresa Demanuele
Jun 27th 2012, 10:25
May I please ask where further information can be provided pls?
I would also like to point out that a revision of the O level system should also be considered. At least consider that the students can sit for some of the basic subjects in Form 4 - that would surely lead to less stress and ability to focus more on particular subjects!
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 27th 2012, 08:52
I'm not involved in education so my question is lay...
Will the 5 years start at the end of Form5?
If they could start before, this could mean the re-introduction of students who obtain MATSEC from Form4.
Nothing wrong with that, if they can make it. If anything it spreads the load from one year... which is what I did in my time (with O'Levels + MATSEC) and proved to be fruitful.
M Cachia
Jun 27th 2012, 10:00
Matsec = A-levels not O-levels, therefore nothing changes for those in Form 5
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 27th 2012, 20:16
Thank you M Cachia
Andrea Gatt
Jun 27th 2012, 08:27
Jista xi hadd jispjega naqra x'se jigri please? Igifiri issa sa jkollok cans 5 snin taghmel resits tas-suggetti li tkun wehilt?
Joe Buttigieg
Jun 26th 2012, 20:19
what MATSEC has to say to all those students that in the past, due to their strict system, had failed to enter a course at university and lost an opportunity
Mr Michael Debono
Jun 26th 2012, 20:00
Does this mean that students have to spend five other years instead of the present five year courseand the last year is the ffith year
K Farrugia
Jun 27th 2012, 00:07
Are you really asking that? Some people should better get a glimpse of the situation at hand before writing down inconsiderate comments for the amusement of others.
James Camilleri
Jun 26th 2012, 19:15
Hope this applies to all courses (e.g. medicine)
Emanuel Joseph Ellul
Jun 27th 2012, 01:13
It does not. To get into medicine, you have to get chemistry and biology at grades A or B in ONE certificate. No re-sits are accepted.
M. Attard
Jun 26th 2012, 18:53
Good Morning, first you mess everything then it takes years and years to realise the mistake and eventually try to correct it. Meanwhile so much hardships for the pupils and teachers, parents and all those involved. The world is very lucky to have only one Malta and very small indeed in every way.
N. Agius
Jun 26th 2012, 21:11
Dear M.Attard, it's like this all over the world... stop denigrating your country... The UK are just considering whether they should abandon the GCSE system and revert to the old 'O' level system.
j dough
Jun 26th 2012, 21:26
true malta is far from perfect but the world could do worse than has US....at least being small our problems and shortcomings have no effect on the other countries - unlike sooo many others - i surely do not need to mention them...
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jun 27th 2012, 08:48
Kindly focus your comments at the body or person who came up with the idea that you object to.
It is wrong to label an entire country in such a manner
Malta is way more than that.
D Borg
Jun 26th 2012, 18:13
and what about SEC (O-Levels) - are they still going to be sat for in one session?
Robert Gatt
Jun 26th 2012, 18:09
Something which definitely would need to be addressed is the compulsory Pass requirement in Systems of Knowledge to enter University. It is unfair that certain students who pass with flying colours in their A-levels and Intermediate level examinations still fail to make it to University due to a failing grade in SOK.
Paul Portelli
Jun 26th 2012, 20:02
u ejja!
j dough
Jun 26th 2012, 21:29
i can't but agree...the time that it takes to prepare a project could be better spent on the other subjects...and after all 'general knowledge' is not acquired by studying a few chapters in a book.
Mr Michael Piccinino
Jun 26th 2012, 21:53
If you fail to pass from SOK than you should not be allowed to enter University as you surely lack general knowledge!
Robert Gatt
Jun 26th 2012, 22:47
@ Michael Piccinino - so if I take your argument correctly, all those who obtain grade A or B in Biology and Chemistry and thus are eligible to pursue a career in medicine or related specialist field should be barred from doing so because they "lack" general knowledge. And since when one is deemed to have or not to have general knowledge on the basis of whether one passes or fails SOK?!!
Clive Gerada
Jun 27th 2012, 00:32
I wish there was a 'Like' button Mr.Michael Piccinino!
Carmel Vella
Jun 26th 2012, 17:59
This only serves to disincentivise students from working hard at learning, so they can pass exams at first attempt. I see nothing good coming from this idea. Now they will be able to spend more time at partying, living with mum, and pretending that they are seriously studying to move forward in life. VERY BAD IDEA.
Ray Buhagiar
Jun 26th 2012, 18:25
Not really. One could also say that those who work hard will grasp the best opportunities. One could also say the more they mature the better they understand their A-level subject. How many of us still remember their A-level stuff?
jane camillleri haber
Jun 26th 2012, 19:01
you tell me whether it's fair for a student who, inspite of trying his best at 2 a levels and four intermediate fails one, and fails again in the september session. he will then have to try them all over again till he gets them all within a year? I always said that this is one reason why we have such a low university turnout compared to other countries. see what a british student needs to have in order to qualify for university!! why do our students have to be so punished.? a move in the right direction. only alas so many of our students have spent years trying to get their qualifications only to lose heart and settle down for a job ( very often part time ) instead!! . who will give these students their life and chances back?? what a grave responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who decide such matters!!!!
j dough
Jun 26th 2012, 21:30
i agree with this change. it is dreadfully unfair when a couple of 'off days' makes you waste years of your life. the kids should of course strive to get it over with in one sitting, but why penalize them if it takes longer?
Ray Buhagiar
Jun 26th 2012, 17:51
What we also need is that MCAST become recognized as University for Art, Science and Technology. We need direct competition between MCAST and UOM
j dough
Jun 26th 2012, 21:31
how can they compete when they are different ? they compliment each other.
Stephen L Muscat
Jun 26th 2012, 22:04
Here here......
University is a monopoly in a free market
Why does the government give funds to the University? Can other institutions have access to these funds?
For government to give funds to an organisation that exists in a competitive market, shouldn't there be a tender process?
M Cachia
Jun 27th 2012, 10:10
1. It's hear hear not here here
2. Are you seriously whinging about providing funding to an educational institution? This is something done in nearly every country in the world to bolster research and academic development! And a tender for a university, i've never heard anything so ludicrous in my life. For your information government money for research is based on grant applications, it's not given freely to any who ask for it!
Stephen L Muscat
Jun 26th 2012, 17:30
As much as this could be a step in the right direction (time will tell), one must bear in mind that the Education Department is run by Academics (as is most of the University). What these Academic Professionals are totally unware of is that the real world out here is very much different from what they think as well as preach.
The gap between what Academics and Educationalists (also academics themselves) think that the labour market needs, and what the labour market actually needs, continues to grow. Employers continue to find the wrong mix of people available, not to mention the level of training and instruction that some graduates and students would have achieved. Unfortunately a large amount of lecturers are academic and with no or little exposure to what really happens in the industries for which they are supposedly preparing their students.
Its high time that the the re-structring and work-shops that need to be done are in relation to the Education Department itself.
Ray Buhagiar
Jun 26th 2012, 17:45
Perfectly agree. I experience the theory practice gap every day. That is why MCAST is becoming such a successful institution.
S. Camilleri
Jun 26th 2012, 17:10
An unusually good step.
Mr Evan Camilleri
Jun 26th 2012, 16:59
At least! A complete reform is required...
1 = Eliminate paper A, paper B system. It is ridiculous!
2 = If a student fails an exam let's hope the student has to do ONLY that exam and not repeat all exams
Vince Deguara
Jun 26th 2012, 17:49
This five-year change eliminates point 2.
However point 2 was partly incorrect. To do all of the exams again one had to fail to resit too... this is now not the case any more...
Bernard Pollacco
Jun 26th 2012, 18:39
no its not ridiculous if student A is able to do a subject in a paper B level(which has less subjects than paper A) why should they sit for paper A?
Luke Scicluna
Jun 26th 2012, 16:33
This is a good first step, but what needs to be done is the abolishing of the Matriculation Certificate and the reinstatement of the three A-level system. It is unfair to expect students to take fluff subjects to fill in their intermediate slots - subjects which they will never use.
D M Grech
Jun 26th 2012, 17:05
I disagree the "fluff" subjects help provide a broader outlook especially with our exam oriented / focused educational system at primary and secondary schools
C Fenech
Jun 26th 2012, 17:13
I think the 2 A-level - 3 intermediate system can work quite well. In today's world you need to be able to work in an interdisciplinary environment. I studied Chem, Bio at A level, then Physics, English and Philosophy at Intermediate. OK the Philosophy was not all completely relevant to what I do. But out of 3 sections: history of philosophy, ethics and logic, the ethics and logic are still useful. You might not directly need the other subjects, but you will definitely need them indirectly.
Toni Borg
Jun 26th 2012, 17:39
While I studied biology and chemistry at A level standard, the intermediate are as important...at least I have an idea of art, philosophy and literature from the intermediates - something which is important to have!!
Mary Pace
Jun 26th 2012, 18:08
I agree with you but systems of knowledge is to be kept because it broadens one's mind especially in the arts.
Luke Scicluna
Jun 27th 2012, 16:53
If the intention is to provide a level of interdisciplinarity, then abolish intermediates and subjects such as systems of knowledge and introduce an interdisciplinary course of seminars, with obligatory attendance but unexamined, rather than having four extra examinable subjects which vary wildly in difficulty level.
A. Xuereb
Jun 26th 2012, 16:24
It said the changes are the fruit of a working group set up by Education Minister Dolores Cristina in 2010 within the National Commission for Higher Education....sounds more like trying to beat Dr Muscat at his game..
C Sant
Jun 26th 2012, 18:34
Reform has been discussed for the past two years. If anything they took too long.
Anthony Azzopardi
Jun 26th 2012, 16:19
Seems somebody's son/daughter is finding it tough going. - Like when the University removed the requirement for Maltese fro the Law Course and later reinstated it.
Pule' Carmel
Jun 26th 2012, 16:16
Just open the door of the univeristy wide open to anybody, let the public attend any faculty and let them sit for any Faculty examination, if they pass they proceed and if they fail they will not proceed. As simple as that.
If anybody wants to go through the lessons just to learn without them sitting for examinations, let it be, when this is possible. Some people want the knowledge and not the certificates. As long as people behave while in my class, I would help anybody as long as I see that they are keeping up the required standards. Then when they try to employ themselves I would leave it to the employer to try him or her out.
C Fenech
Jun 26th 2012, 17:15
Actually, the University system is open to people who just want to sit in on classes. I know someone close to me who does it. http://www.um.edu.mt/registrar/public and is getting quite a lot out of it. You do not get to do exams/assignments etc, but just learn. I hope your courses are on this schedule :)
Mr Nathan zammit
Jun 26th 2012, 20:35
I agree with you here Prof. Pule'. I am currently doing mechanical engineering, and next year I will be continuing on mechanics and thermofluids. But I do wish, in the future, to broaden my horizons. I would like to have knowledge on industrial engineering subjects, as well as some electrical subjects as well, as in the industry I am sure that I would need to have knowledge in all aspects for different problems I encounter...
What I also feel is problematic is the divide between theory and practice.. Even though we have our very insiteful and eye opening mcast summer course in the first year, I believe that we need to have some form of apprenticeships so that we have a feel of the real world.. because I believe that whatever we do on paper during lectures is nowhere near what we will be doing in real life! and I believe that many students lose interest in the courses because the study units seem so vague and useless sometimes, when in actual fact they would be very useful in the real world !!
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Jun 26th 2012, 16:11
More socialism.
Mary Pace
Jun 26th 2012, 16:01
If I am not mistaken they could do away with matsec as they could enter the University as Adult students at 23. so by the 5 year time frame they will reach 23 ( 18 when they sit for the first time plus 5 year allowance)and so they will not bother doing the exams altogether.. I think this is encouraging them to work less hard for their exams and the University qualifications will have little value in some years time. At least this is my opinion.
Mr Alfred Gatt
Jun 26th 2012, 16:26
you mean 16 not 18....and 16+5 is not 23..
A. Xuereb
Jun 26th 2012, 16:35
@ Alfred Gatt: Students sit for their A levels at 18...18+5=23:-)
Anthony Farrugia
Jun 26th 2012, 16:47
@Alfred Gatt: Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) refers to the "O levels" that students usually sit at Form 5 at age 15/16 and Matriculation certificate (MATSEC) refers to the Two A level, Three Intermediate level and SOK subjects that students sit at age 17/18.
M. Busuttil
Jun 26th 2012, 15:58
About time!!
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