Education Minister Dolores Cristina said today that her ministry would continue to roll out major reforms in the coming days, notably in the transition of schoolchildren from primary to secondary school.
In a statement to mark the opening of the scholastic year, she said that many schoolchildren were returning to a school environment that was better than last year's, thanks to renovation works that had been carried out in more than half of state schools.
Mrs Cristina said this scholastic year would see the Education Ministry continue to roll out major reforms which were announced last year after extensive consultation.
The most important reform would be for the seamless transition of children from primary to secondary schools. This reform would result in less stress on the school children, their parents and teachers.
Streaming of schoolchildren would also be removed since this had caused schoolchildren to be labelled from a very young age.
The minister said a strategy had been drawn up for greater importance to be given to the teaching of the sciences.
Greater emphasis would be placed on the basic skills of young pupils and the curriculum was being updated to current needs.
The minister thanked all those in the teaching grades for their work, as well as those in administration and the workers involved in the renovation of the schools.
She said the governemnt had this year engaged a number of professionals to support the teachers.
She also urged parents to show an interest in their children’s schooling.
The Nationalist Party congratulated students and parents and said it was encouraging to note that the new educational system aimed to be inclusive and focused on the students’ needs and aspirations.
It said the college system has proved to be successful whilst more and more students were opting to continue their studies at a higher level at MCAST, ITS and University.
A record number of students had applied to further their studies at MCAST whilst 500 new students wer this year enrolling for full time courses at ITS. New Masters and PhDs programmes were being offered at the University whilst the Scholarship Scheme has proved to be successful and popular amongst students
The Nationalist Party urged the government, teachers, parents and students to work together to ensure that challenges were translated into opportunities for all children and students to succeed.
An earlier PL statement is being reported separately.