Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/779073
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JANUARY 2017 6 JAMES DEBONO CANDIDATES sitting for the Social Studies 'O' level test have tended to dwell more on the nega- tive aspects of immigration, than on more positive aspects, a MAT- SEC report reveals. Students were in fact more likely to refer to the challenges posed by multiculturalism to social stabil- ity, and to the financial burden on the State due to the increased expense on education, social ser- vices, health and housing accom- modation, The problem of unemployment, due to the increased number of immigrants taking up gainful oc- cupation, was also a recurring theme in most of the essays deal- ing with this theme. On the other hand, candidates were more prepared when they were asked to mention measures aimed at integrating migrants in Maltese society. But instead of fo- cusing on how migrants in Malta can be more effectively integrated in Maltese society, some candi- dates spoke exclusively about what immigrants should do themselves in order to integrate. "Suggestions included learning the Maltese language, attending Maltese cultural activities such as feasts, not committing crime, find- ing work, speaking to the Maltese, converting to Christianity." According to the examiners these replies suggest that a num- ber of candidates are keener on as- similation than on integration. Moreover candidates only men- tioned immigrants coming by boat or refugees, ignoring completely those immigrants who enter the country through other means. When asked to explain measures aimed at promoting legal migra- tion, the answers given "were very amateurish, ranging from organ- ising easier travelling, reducing flight fares and the cost of pass- ports and creating work opportu- nities". Measures such as stricter border controls, creating legitimate mi- gration routes, attacking the roots of poverty in originating countries, and stemming migrant smuggling and human trafficking were not mentioned at all. Some candidates even replied by proposing meas- ures to punish migrants through strict detention policies rather than promoting legal migration. Culture and human rights Migration was not the only prob- lematic aspect in this year's exam. When asked to state what has influenced our culture to become more global, many decided to dwell upon how Malta has "exported" its image by spreading knowledge of the Maltese language, local food, drinks and political polarisation. Just a few referred to the avail- ability of international brands, the presence of international food chains, different ethnic groups, the influence of the Internet and social media, on-line trading and pur- chasing and Malta's integration within the EU. It also appears that many candi- dates do not know what cultural diversity implies. Answers were often vague, and restricted to just one word, such as "fashion", "re- ligion", and "food". Some equated diversity with multiculturalism. When asked for an example of subculture in Maltese society, most candidates gave "acceptable" examples: mostly Islamic or other religious groups, bikers and punks. But some gave wrong examples in- cluding environmental NGOs, lo- cal traditional trades and pastimes. Many candidates were unable to give a clear definition of human rights. For most of the candidates, the term simply implies the rights that a person is entitled to from birth. Reference to the UN Univer- sal Declaration of Human Rights was scarce. Only a small number of the ex- amination candidates indicated that the term intolerance implies the lack or refusal to accept others because they are different. "Many candidates ventured on to provide very cryptic content in the process of defining this term". The exam report notes very se- rious shortcomings in written expression (in both English and/ or Maltese), "with a disquieting amount of candidates demonstrat- ing poor syntax and grammatical skills; struggling to make coherent sentences and to develop lines of argumentation logically". Candidates often generalized from their own personal experi- ence and referred to common sense assumptions rather than to arguments based on social re- search. According to the report candi- dates either do not give the subject enough importance and attention or else the subject "is beyond their level of assimilation". This may be symptomatic of the popular mentality of approaching Social Studies as a "soft option" without the need of preparation and training in the knowledge, skills and core values of the sub- ject. A total of 892 students sat for this exam, a quarter of whom failed. Only 2.5% got a Grade 1 while 60% got a pass. News Exams show teens have been fed negative stereotypes of migrants Social studies 'O' level report shows students dwell only on negative aspects of migration in exam Suggestions such converting to Christianity shows a number of candidates were keener on assimilation than on integration A group of young asylum seekers at the Marsa open centre, preparing a mural during a 2013 visit by the American ambassador. Social studies candidates only mentioned immigrants coming by boat or refugees, ignoring completely other immigrants