Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1387622
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JUNE 2021 NEWS Online Public Consultation Session consultations@mecp.gov.mt www.environment.gov.mt 2nd July at 15.00 RSVP by noon of 30th June 2021 Register here: consultations@mecp.gov.mt Submission of Feedback Open until 13th July 2021 Ponte Ferries From July to September, Ponte Ferries operates daily to/from Augusta. Duration 3h Single voyage €9.99-€29.99* Return with car €170 (€85 per way) Pets in cabin €15 *Fluctuates depending on the availability. According to the web- site's booking portal it appears tickets for August are currently being sold from anywhere between €19.99 to €29.99. Driving distance from Augusta Palermo 2h 41m Catania 1h 35m Taormina 1h 12m Syracuse 28m Trapani 3h 59m Ryanair Ryanair operates daily direct flights to Catania, and to Trapani on Wednesdays and Sundays Duration 40m/1hr Catania return €49* Trapani return €25* *Prices fluctuate depending on the demand New ferry opens up options to Sicily Summer is in full swing, and the Sicilian getaway beckons. Now with a new ferry service challenging the Virtù ferry monopoly, what will holidaymakers choose for a quick jaunt to Catania or Augusta? Or will it be by air to Palermo and Trapani? LAURA CALLEJA breaks down the options Bilingual exams being considered JAMES DEBONO PROPOSALS in a national strategy on an early leaving and education strategy include giving stu- dents the facility to answer questions in both Eng- lish and Maltese, during assessments and exams in specific problematic subject areas like "story sums" in Maths. The proposals also include the introduction of SEC exams as a Maltese option for students, particularly for specific subjects like Maths and Science. The requirement that most SEC examinations are completed in English is now being consid- ered to be an unnecessary barrier to certifica- tion, particularly for weaker students and for students whose instruction has primarily been through Maltese. For each paper, students should have the op- tion to choose the language in which they take the examination. The aim of the policy is to eliminate barriers in examinations, especially for those learners who are passing through an important transition, whether academic or vocational. Examination boards are being urged to take into consideration the bilingual nature of our society, and "should be more flexible in allowing students to opt for their language of preference when sitting for their examinations". Apart from addressing the needs of the rising numbers of foreign students, this outlook takes into consideration the needs of Maltese stu- dents who find their 'second' language, either Maltese or English, somewhat challenging. The strategy also aims to assess how COV- ID-19 has impacted learning in all areas of ed- ucation, by allowing for diverse digital learning strategies and assessment methods. A pilot pro- gramme which includes blended learning is now being proposed. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt