Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1414163
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 SEPTEMBER 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Towards quality education IN the education sector Malta is one of the most cost-intensive countries, and yet, we have the highest rate of Early School Leavers in the European Union. Indeed, the target limit of up to 10% by 2020 has not been met. It is beyond doubt that much has been done by the State, as well as by non-governmental entities to address this problem. Consequently, some voices are suggesting raising the threshold for the age of compulsory education to 18 years old. It is Paulo Freire Institute's convic- tion that before anything else, we must first work to improve students' motiva- tion. It is very worrying that a number of students lose interest in education from a very early age. It seems also that quality education is not yet viewed as a priority in our society. Over the years, Paulo Freire In- stitute has developed and managed tailor-made programmes to help chil- dren of different ages, adolescents and adults (especially parents) to view their own learning and education, and that of their children, in a more positive manner. One of the initiatives we have taken was the creation of a reading club to encourage children to appreci- ate reading (see https://pfi.jesuit.org. mt/our-strategy/). Whilst appreciating the efforts be- ing made by those who work in the educational sector to improve edu- cation in Malta, in our opinion we all must do more to motivate students to successfully complete their primary and secondary education to be in a position to successfully progress to post-secondary level. We do not be- lieve that this will happen by obliging all students to attend until they turn 18. There is a danger that this measure alone could backfire and increase the level of demotivation with regard to youth education and increase levels of absenteeism. On the other hand, it is necessary to: 1) Work with the most vulnerable families so that they will recognise that the opportunity for a better fu- ture lies in their children's education. Thus, any assistance granted, includ- ing financial assistance, should be for this purpose; 2) Invest not only in the construction of new schools but also give attention to the older ones, since some of them need to be radically restored. 3) Find a means of having more quality teachers at all levels and of retaining their employment in the ed- ucational sector for many years. To do so, it is not only necessary to improve the working conditions of teachers and of all those involved in education, but more importantly to increase apprecia- tion towards all who work this sector. 4) Although today the country has recognised the needs of students who are more drawn to the expressive arts or to sport, so much so that we have specialised schools, we must understand that it is also important to consider schools for those who have abilities in manual crafts and specific trades. One wonders why specialised programmes are not offered in every school; and 5) Presently education is still more focused on exams rather than on children's learning and their full de- velopment. All those in schools re- sponsible for children need to know their pupils individually and keep step with the particular pace of each and every one of them as well as with what interests them most. To do this in practice, school administrators need to be more flexible when it comes to designing the school curricula so that the children can receive individual attention. Hopefully, as the dawn of a new school year approaches, and in spite of these very particular times, all stu- dents will experience a positive learn- ing experience despite the challenging times we are living through, and teachers will be able to continue to fulfil their mission without hindrance. Fr Edgar Busuttil SJ Director Paulo Freire Institute Foundation