Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, has appealed to the Government to build upon mixed ability schooling rather than introducing banding.

“Mixed ability schooling has been tried and testing in countries with the best educational systems in the world – such as Finland – and this has brought about more equality among students whilst improving educational levels, creativity and employability. We strongly appeal to the Government not to divert from a system which was only introduced a few years ago and which needs increased investment and resources to develop further,” said Zminijietna

“Banding is a form of streaming which can result in inequalities among students, to the detriment of those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and which can have adverse social and psychological effects on students who are streamed in the lower bands.”

“Zminijietna appeals to the Government to consult with experts from the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta, whose experience and research in the field clearly shows the advantages of mixed-ability schooling.”

“The Labour Government has introduced many progressive reforms in the field of education, such as breakfast clubs and increased after-school hour services, and will introduce others such as universal childcare centres and teaching of ethics. The introduction of banding goes the opposite way of such progressive reforms,” Zminijietna concluded.

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