Easing University entry requirements for students with learning difficulties will help motivate intellectually impaired children as young as 12 to pursue tertiary education, pro-rector Carmen Sammut believes.
The University of Malta announced earlier this week that it had approved a change in admission regulations for applicants not in possession of compulsory subjects because of learning difficulties.
Speaking to The Sunday Times of Malta following the announcement, Dr Sammut, who serves as student affairs pro-rector, said such a move will open doors to students who might otherwise be disinterested in pursuing post-secondary education.
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“We are approached by many parents whose children are still in Form 3 and who are planning their future. The change is not only about having more people enter University but about children’s education in the long term,” Dr Sammut said.
The University general entry requirements are the Matriculation Certificate, obtained after attending sixth form, and passes at grade 5 or better in the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examinations in six subjects which must include English Language, Maltese, Mathematics and one of the sciences: Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
We are approached by many parents whose children are still in Form 3 and who are planning their future. The change is not only about having more people enter University but about children’s education in the long term
The Matriculation Certificate consists of six subjects and is awarded if students acquire 44 points or more, and obtain passes in a language, a humanistic and a science subject as well as in Systems of Knowledge.
The change comes into force at the start of the next scholastic year and while it will be easier for those with intellectual impairments to get into University, Dr Sammut insisted that students will only be exempt from subjects that are not required in their particular course.
“Take Dyscalculia for instance, students with this condition cannot process mathematical calculations and we had a situation where because SEC-level Maths is a compulsory subject for University entry, those who failed to obtain a pass in this would not get in.
“That means there were cases where students would get top grades in the other subjects but still could not make it. That will no longer be the case now,” the pro-rector explained.
As each student’s needs were different, the University will be considering every case on an individual basis, Dr Sammut added.
On whether those with learning difficulties would be offered any additional help as they read for their degrees, Dr Sammut said that while arrangements are already in place for those with disabilities – such as extended time during exams and different-coloured exam papers – at this stage in their lives, students should be independent.
“The students would have had support during their time in primary and secondary school which should help them become independent adults.
“Allowing pupils to be independent is crucial. We see the difference between those with parents who give their children space to grow and develop their skills on their own and those who would have been sheltered all the time,” Dr Sammut said.
On challenges the move could pose, the pro-rector acknowledged that some changes would need to be considered, including the need to equip lecturers with new skills. Certain infrastructural changes to some lecture rooms could also be needed to make the learning environment more accessible to all students.
This, she went on, was part of efforts by the University to be more inclusive and in the coming months training will be offered to lecturers to help equip them with additional teaching skills to better help students.
claire.caruana@timesofmalta.com