Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1176246
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 OCTOBER 2019 DAVID HUDSON MALTA'S system of continu- ous assessment, first imple- mented last year as a new way of keeping track of pupils' performance in schools, could lead to students "taking school more lightly", a veteran head of school complained with Malta- Today. The continuous assessment measure has done away with half-yearly examinations in secondary schools and stu- dents are now being continu- ously assessed throughout the scholastic year – a measure that also requires teachers to grade pupils more often. Pupils still sit for exams at the end of the scholastic year, but the final grade will be made up of 40% assessment and 60% from the annual exam. "Teachers are provided with assessment criteria such as the various components one has to assess in English. The various components require thinking and a lot of preparation from the teachers' end," the head of the government school who spoke to this newspaper said. "What sets me thinking is the fact that since there are only exams at the end of the scho- lastic year, students and par- ents might take it more light- ly. What I mean is that when there were half-yearly exams, it was a natural process to start revising from a month before." But she lamented that stu- dents are not being provided with enough memory work, es- pecially since language exami- nations at the end of the year assess creative writing, read- ing comprehension and oracy – the ability to express oneself fluently – which do not require any particular study. "The only exam which requires study- ing and practice is the Maths exam," she said. The school principal added that the Learning Outcomes Framework (LOF), dubbed the backbone of Malta's education programmes for doing away with traditional benchmarking by exam – might not lead to a big change in the way teachers conduct classes. The LOF encompasses a set of subject learning outcomes that set out what a learner is expected to know by the end of the year. "The difference be- tween LOFs and the syllabus is that learning outcomes are levelled, while a different syl- labus is provided for each year group, that is, a list of items which need to be covered by a year level," the school head said. "Year 4 (children aged 8) teachers will be embarking on a new system of working with learning outcomes – they practically had to prepare eve- rything from scratch since the components being assessed vary from the ones in previous years." LOFs are therefore themed for each subject. In the case of English classes, the LOF at the end of the year might ask students whether their classes have helped them to suggest some ideas of their own in the same style as an original story in a class discussion. The school head embraced the new changes for kinder- garten educators, which will be following the Emergent Curriculum, that is, allowing teachers in Kinder 1 and 2 to develop ideas developed and proposed by their students. "In theory, this is brilliant because there is no fixed cur- riculum at this tender age and every kindergarten educator will be engaging students in activities that vary from those of other colleagues," the head of school said. "It is early days, yet the out- come of the Emergent Curric- ulum cannot be foreseen and it is still unclear how reports will be presented to parents at the end of the year." NEWS Malta, shrunk down No 5. X Factor Malta What are we skinning? X-Factor Malta, which has just ushered in its second season. Why are we skinning it? Because it's X-Factor Malta which, like McDonalds and Pizza Hut, makes it an unfortunately successful and attention-grabbing extension of a global franchise on our shores. But is it fun to watch? I suppose it's fun to observe how each of the judges have doubled down on their predetermined archetypes, and are comfy in the one-dimensional burrows they've built for themselves. You're right, actually. Which one's your favourite? Oh, it has to be the accidental Cockney- chappie perfection of Ray Mercieca; hat, shades and all – a character (!) that only a post- war, post-colonial Malta would have to invent, if he didn't exist already. Luckily for you, he does! And what do you make of Howard Keith Debono face-stabbing himself throughout the show? That pen is too bright for TV. It draws too much attention to himself. The stabbing is probably down to him having to sustain the Simon Cowell ala Maltese schtick through the episode's unholy running time. But what about the contestants? Weepy ballads, strummy guitars and the occasional out-of-tune dud. Wasn't this show supposed to have buzzers? It would have jolted me awake, at least. So you don't think Malta's got talent? Don't give them any more excuses for further cynical franchises. But yes, the dreadlocked girl did pretty well, and the ukelele guy got too much flak for a 'stiff' facial expression that was actually all about that focused earnestness. Do say: "While an artist's trajectory should never be determined through a televised competition that's an offshoot of a global corporate franchise, it's good to see earnest feedback being doled out to young and not-so-young hopefuls, and that some kind of musical standard is being set on the island while the entire population apparently looks on." Don't say: "The image of Alexandra Alden being 'tickled by feathers' arouses more horror than amusement, and we demand it be erased from our collective memories through a government-funded lobotomising operation." The Skinny Pre-Announcement of Measure MI.20 under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme for Malta 2014-2020 The Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme for Malta in respect of the current programming period provides funding opportunities to the fishing industry and related coastal communities to help them adapt to ever-changing sectoral conditions whilst fostering their economical resilience and ecological sustainability. The Fund will be of assistance in reaching the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and support the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, as delineated in pertinent Regulation (EU) No. 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Funds and Programmes Division is hereby informing the general public that Measure I.20 will be launched on Thursday, 24th October 2019. This measure is aimed at fishing vessel owners for investments in equipment or on board, energy efficiency audits and schemes and studies to assess the contribution of alternative propulsion systems and hull designs. Article 41(1) – Measure I.20 Energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change On board investments; energy efficiency and audit schemes; studies The above-mentioned Measure has a total allocation of €150,000.00 in public eligible funds (European Union and Malta shares). However, the Managing Authority reserves the right to increase or decrease the said allocation. Prospective applicants should note that the Application Form and relevant documentation may be downloaded from the website of the Funds and Programmes Division at: www.eufunds.gov.mt / www.eufundsmalta.gov.mt as from Thursday, 24th October 2019. An Information session for prospective applicants will be held on Thursday, 24th October 2019. A Registration Form to participate in such information session will be available at the above-mentioned link. Interested parties should submit their request for registration to fpd.meae@gov.mt or call tel. 2200 1108 by not later than Friday, 18th October 2019. Time and venue of the information session will be communicated by the Managing Authority to fishers who have registered for the information session. More information can be requested by email to (fpd.meae@gov.mt), or tel. 2200 1108, or by visiting our website http://www.eufundsmalta.gov.mt/. Date of Publication: 11th October 2019 Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020 Part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Co-financing rate: 37.5% European Union Funds; 12.5% National Funds; 50% Private Funds* Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Concerns of a Head of School: continuous assessment means students take school more lightly