Social Studies has been removed as a requirement for the Junior Lyceum, Education Minister Dolores Cristina said today.
Speaking at a press conference, she said that pupils will still have to sit for Maltese, Maths, English and Religion exams as part of their Junior Lyceum and Common Entrance examinations. They will also still be examined in Social Studies, but not as an entry requirement.
The last set of Common Entrance and Junior Lyceum exams will be held in May 2010.
As from 2011, the concept of the Junior Lyceum exams will cease, and the current examinations system for progression from primary to secondary schools will be replaced by three national exams - Maths, Maltese and English, and the pupils will then move to secondary schools within their area colleges.
Church and Private Schools will be invited to join the new system.
The minister said that streaming was this year removed from all Grade V classes in government schools, and it would also be removed from Grade VI next year. Students would be assessed for their abilities and grouped according to the support they needed.
For example, the minister said, a pupil who was strong in Maths but weak in English would be placed in a group of the same level. This concept, she said, led to mixed ability classrooms.
She said the reforms were being accompanied by the training of support professionals including teachers, psychologists, youth workers and counsellors. Two special units were being set up in primary and secondary schools, called nurture groups and learning support zones respectively, where children could receive emotional and educational support where needed.
The minister also spoke on the government's commitment to improve the schools environment and said a new school is being built every year.
CHURCH SCHOOLS EXPANDING
The minister said three Church schools - St Paul's Missionary College,St Augustine College, Savio College and the Minor Seminary were planning to each open a primary school while Theresa Nuzzo school would expand to also have a secondary school.
Entrance to Church school junior classes will remain by ballot.