Many parents and grandparents, too, are indeed concerned that young students failed in their Maltese examination at ordinary level standard. I am sure the education authorities are no less worried and will take the necessary action not to let this problem get any worse.

Reading and writing are two human abilities a person must develop from an early age and this is why children go to school, to learn to read and to write. At school, a child develops a habit to read and the more a child reads the more the child learns to write.

Through reading, a child understands that writing is an art. Writing is not like speaking. When we write, we use the right word, the correct grammar, punctuation and orthography and when we speak we often ignore all these, especially, when speaking in a familiar or friendly way.

I admit that the rules of Maltese grammar and orthography are not very easy and examiners know these do not go very well especially with very young people.

The remedy for good writing is reading and parents, no less grandparents, teachers and all concerned, should encourage young people to read and read and then to write well.