A comprehensive survey with 4,800 people involved in the college reform is being held by the Malta Union of Teachers between June 6 and 17.

The survey, part of research being carried out by the union, will be followed by 90 face to face interviews with representatives of various teaching grades, MUT outgoing president John Bencini said.

The survey and interview, he said this morning, were the final stages of research on the impact of the college reform and will follow the MUT's analysis of documentation on colleges and reform and focus groups with representatives from all grades of schools.

The survey will be evaluating networking, decentralisation and evolution, transition from primary to secondary, process of consultation and information, rate and pace of change, preparation for change and support systems, mixed ability teaching, benchmarking, setting in core subjects, and new assessment practices.

The MUT commissioned the university to carry out the study.

Mr Bencini referred to the newly released curriculum and said that the MUT had not been consulted in its drawing up. It was only asked for advice when it was completed.

John Bencini complained that although this is called a consultative docuembnt they were left out and were only asked for advice when this was ready.

The union is holding its triennial conference, entitled "Transition from primary to secondary" on Monday. The union's new president will be elected.

Only one nomination has been submitted, that of primary school teacher Kevin Bonello, 34. To be elected, he needs 200 votes. If he becomes president, he will be the youngest president the MUT has ever had.

Mr Bencini said he will remain active in the union.