Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/647574
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH 2016 3 News Bartolo: 'One-size-fits-all' education doesn't work Education minister underlines need to break down boundaries faced by students with learning challenges, including autism and dyslexia, at secondary level EDUCATION minister Evar- ist Bartolo stressed the need to ensure that boundaries faced by students with learning diffi- culties, such as autism and dys- lexia, were further broken down, particularly at post-secondary school education. "We are giving students the necessary aid when it comes to compulsory education, but it is useless to then expect them to magically fit into a one-size fits all educational and testing method once they finish their compulsory education," Bartolo said. Taking part in a discussion with students from 100 colleg- es, including the Junior college, ITS, Higher Secondary, MCAST, teachers and parents, Bartolo pointed out that discussions of the kind further clarified and underlined beliefs that educa- tion could not be the same for everyone. "Thinking that all children have to fit into the same meth- ods makes no sense," he said, adding that many students wished to have more hands-on experience to suit their interests and needs. "It's not natural to spend so much time sitting around in class, and we have to focus on these needs," he added. During the discussion, parents expressed their concerns that in assessing whether students needed assistance to sit for their 'O' or 'A' Level examinations, the committee was often overlook- ing people with dyslexia and au- tism because "their intelligence levels were superior." "My son has dyslexia, and al- though he might pass the exam, I know that he would need addi- tional time in order to achieve a grade that truly ref lects what he has learned," one speaker said. Saying that he felt that his in- ability to affect the sector so far, was something of a personal failure, Bartolo said that he was still committed to increasing accessibility for students with learning disabilities. Responding to some of the comments made throughout the meeting, Bartolo also stressed the need to increase differenti- ated methods of assessment and learning for students. Students largely pointed out that they wished to have more specifically crafted timetables to ref lect their interests and aspirations for the future, with one student pointing out that he found certain subjects challeng- ing and that he wished a future job in landscaping and garden- ing, subjects which he wished he had more time to practise. Others also explained that they found difficulties in learning specific subjects such as maths and physics, with teachers ex- plaining that finding ways of in- corporating visual and practical aspects to such subjects often proved useful to the students. One student who said he had trouble reading and writing said he wished that the layout of exam papers could be clearer, including through bigger font point sizes and easier exercises like matching or underlining among others. He further added that a bigger focus on visual as- pects, and learning through the use of tablets and technology could also help in his develop- ment. His mother, who also spoke during the discussion, fur- ther clarified that due to her son's writing difficulties, it was somewhat unfair to assess his knowledge through essays so he required specific kinds of exer- cises. She added that better training for Learning Support Assistants was also necessary to ensure that they knew how to use tools like tablets and computers for educational purposes. Education minister Evarist Bartolo (third from right) participated in a discussion with students with learning difficulties New supermarket proposed in Attard JAMES DEBONO A considerable patch of land 1,135 square metres in area, ly- ing along Triq il-Linja in Attard is being proposed for a super- market on two levels, two further levels of residential development, penthouses and three levels of basement garages. The development is being pro- posed in a green area bordered by Triq il-Linja, Triq Anthony Schembri and Triq il-Mithna, a short distance away from the of- ficial residence of the US ambas- sador. Said Investments Limited is be- hind the development. In 2015 MEPA had approved a development by the same com- pany on an adjacent site along Triq il-Mithna consisting in the demolition of an existing rustic building to make way for apart- ments on three storeys. According to the case officer the building earmarked for dem- olition was protected by the Cul- tural Heritage Act. But its demo- lition could be approved because the Heritage Advisory Commit- tee chaired by Magistrate Dennis Montebello found no objection "because the area has already been excessively compromised". Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar had objected, claiming that the new block contrasted with the existing streetscape of rustic buildings.