The teachers’ union is surprised by thegovernment’s decision to roll out a co-education system in all State schools and lamented the lack of consultation.
Malta Union of Teachers president Kevin Bonello said while the union was in favour of mixed-sex education it was concerned that not enough time had been allowed to evaluate the pilot project introduced in September.
“This is a step in the right direction, we even agreed with the pilot project. But even though this is not half way through, the government decided to forge ahead,” he said.
Co-education was introduced at St Claire’s secondary school in Pembroke four months ago and was meant to run until the end of the scholastic year before a decision is taken. However, earlier this week school heads received word that boys and girls will sit side by side in all Form 1 classrooms from next year.
Mr Bonello said the union had expected to see a comprehensive study of the project together with a lengthy discussion on its implementation before any decision was taken.
He also pointed out that a committee, set up at the school to monitor the project, had not met since the project was launched.
The new system will see individual co-ed grades phased in as opposed to the wholesale introduction of co-ed classes at every grade. Asked if this would have a negative impact on young children, Mr Bonello said the union recognised that the phasing-in process would create an initial imbalance.
“Schools will need more resources to cope. Schools require more support to be able to take the necessary steps,” he said.
Mr Bonello went further and said: “Certain schools might have to put up fences and introduce more doors to be able to monitor mixed-sex students on school premises.”
Educators’ greatest concerns, however, remained that of mixed ability education, Mr Bonello said. Describing it as a “hot topic”, the union head said that even Education Minister Evarist Bartolo had acknowledged it was the biggest challenge facing the education system.
Introduced in 2009, mixed ability requirements did away with compulsory streaming and introduced a nationwide mixed ability school environment.
Mr Bonello said this too had been introduced in a “disorganised fashion” and called for smaller classrooms to allow teachers to divide their attention accordingly.