The educational reforms introducing coeducation and middle schools should be carried out following a wide consultation process with teachers, learning support assistants, parents, students and other stakeholders, PN education spokesman Joe Cassar said.

He said in a statement this process should be based on the results of the pilot project that was currently underway.

Dr Cassar said that the Nationalist Party was not against the two reforms in principle and had taken the initial steps to introduce coeducation.

This had been done through the building of boys and girls secondary schools close to each other, to facilitate the integration process.

However, one had to ask what consultation had taken place and how were teachers and those involved being trained to prepare for the reform.

Dr Cassar said the PN believed middle schools should be integrated in secondary school buildings to ensure continuity.

But it seemed the Education Minister was planning to have students experience a move from primary to middle school and from middle school to secondary, two major changes in three years. What impact would this have on students at such a sensitive age, he asked.

He also asked if teachers who were now teaching at secondary level have to travel form one school to another. And what logistic adjustments would parents have to make.

The PN said that the minister who was now trying to hasten the implementation of two radical reforms spent the past five years complaining of reform fatigue.

It was clear, Dr Cassar said, that the Malta Union of Teachers, teachers, parents and students were in the dark about what was to be introduced in a few months.

The PN, he said, was committed to give its support and ideas for the education system to continue building on the major achievements of the past years.