The Education Ministry said today that not only were Junior Lyceums not to be removed but it was working for all secondary schools to reach Junior Lyceum standards.
Reacting to comments by MLP leader Alfed Sant yesterday, the ministry said the reform which had seen the setting up of regional colleges meant higher quality for all schools from kindergarten to secondary level. It added that the next Junior Lyceum exams will be held between May 5-9.
The ministry said Dr Sant’s comments meant that the MLP in government would dismantle the colleges and return everything to the pre-reform situation, meaning that schoolchildren would continue to suffer tension and stigma.
Education Minister Louis Galea said that while in 1998, 45 percent of candidates passed their Junior Lyceum exam, that figure had now risen to 61 percent and the government wanted more schoolchildren to reach this level.