PN calls for consultation on reintroduction of streaming in schools

The PN this morning called for government to consult the relevant stakeholders on issues pertaining to education, such as the proposal to reintroduce streaming in public schools.

According to Joseph Cassar, the party’s spokesperson on education, the government was acting ‘dangerously’ by not consulting them on such issues.

Cassar, who admitted that certain changes were needed in the sector, was addressing a press conference outside the Education Ministry in Floriana, alongside Nationalist MEP candidate Jonathan Shaw.

Accusing Bartolo of ‘not listening’ to the Opposition, Cassar outlined the proposals of co-education and the re-introduction of streaming as ones which could pose risks if not planned or monitored well.

Cassar said that alterations to the education system must only be implemented after proper studies have been carried out. For instance, he said that the minister’s plans to reintroduce streaming must only take place after the results of a report commissioned by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

Streaming will involve the categorisation of students according to their grades in the core subjects such as English, Maltese and Mathematics.