Students who sit for their Secondary Education Certificate exams need not necessarily get top grades so long as they pass, continue studying and become employable, according to Education Minister Dolores Cristina.
Whether students opted for Paper A or the easier version, Paper B, became irrelevant considering that the current system was leading to more students furthering their education and finding jobs, she said.
Last week Ms Cristina described the SEC exam results as “very encouraging” as the majority of students passed.
A closer look at the figures showed that, when it came to basic subjects (Maltese, English, maths, computer studies and physics), about half opted for Paper B.
Ms Cristina said students had different abilities and there was the need for two papers that catered for all abilities.
“Fewer learners are being marginalised. More learners are finding jobs, further training and new jobs that require new skills.
“If we can sustain this policy… the unemployment rate of young people will remain low, Malta will continue to attract foreign investment and our quality of life will guarantee better health systems, better education institutions, better services, better communication systems and more participation in the workforce.
“If these systems can be sustained and people are employable in better jobs, then options of papers A or B become irrelevant,” she said.
In in the case of Maltese, English and physics, more than half of the students got a grade four, five or unclassified (U).
Students did very well in maths, with the majority getting grades one to three. However, in maths Paper B, almost half (over 1,000 students) failed.
Students who sit for Paper A have to obtain between grade 1 and 5 to qualify and go to sixth form. Any grade lower than a five results in a fail or U. When it comes to Paper B, students have to obtain between grade four and seven.
“I am never satisfied with results that do not show a good grade. However, one must bear in mind that… the aim of the end of secondary school examination is to give access to further education and training. Students who obtain grades one to five normally go into sixth form education,” Ms Cristina said.
All other students had options, such as the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology and the Institute for Tourism Studies.
The ministry yesterday also released a statement about the “good results” of the advanced and intermediate matriculation exams.
At intermediate level, 82 per cent got up to grade E and 51 per cent obtained between A and C. For the advanced level 48 per cent got an A, B or C and 78 per cent passed.