The Malta Union of Teachers said today that it agreed with the introduction of banding in state primary schools, but said that there should be an  ongoing evaluation of the system. Banding will replace mixed-ability classes.

"The MUT Council welcomes the decision of the Ministry for Education and Employment to introduce banding in state schools. The union has been highlighting the difficulties of mixed ability grouping since its introduction. The Union has requested clarifications from the Ministry about the way banding will be implemented and is satisfied about the procedure which will be adopted," the union said in a statement.

It noted that some schools were already adopting ability grouping on similar parameters of banding.  It therefore called for ongoing evaluation of the system to ensure that all decisions are backed by evidence provided directly by schools and educators, who are ultimately facing the difficulties of mixed ability and differentiated teaching.