During a press conference held at the school complex in Victoria, Gozo, the leader of Alternattiva Demokratika, Dr. Harry Vassallo, stressed that it was feasible to radically improve both the range and quality of educational, training and employment opportunities in Gozo.
The Green Party spokesman for Gozo, Mr. Victor Galea, added, "Once AD is elected to parliament, we will work with all stakeholders, especially, educational entities and economic operators in the manufacturing and service sectors in order to implement a Labour Market Intelligence and Research programme to identify the employment needs, both current and future, of Gozo. The resultant education and training programmes would therefore be tailor-made and geared not only for present employment needs, but for those arising from new, high value-added industries, such as computer software enterprises and those specializing in emerging technologies."
"This reform is necessary in order to create and sustain a more highly qualified workforce, whose valuable skills would be relevant to the needs, demands and success of today's fast-changing economy. It would, in turn, guarantee a more secure financial future for all citizens. Schools, colleges, training providers and the University all have a part to play and accordingly, must be properly resourced. Further education rates must be increased for post 16-year-olds, incorporating vocational and technical courses that are pertinent to the requirements of both the students and the local job market."
Alternattiva Demokratika will ensure the development of more effective careers, guidance and support systems in educational institutions in order to enable students to make more informed choices regarding further / higher education, training opportunities or successful entry into the world of work, be it as employees or self-employed persons. Amongst others, Mr Galea cited the enhancement of programmes of basic skills in literacy, numeracy, computer competence and English. "These courses must be available to all, including adults as part of 'Lifelong Learning' programmes. AD would require realistic targets to be set for achievement of core skills and that these be reviewed annually."
Once elected in parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika will promote much greater participation at post-16 stage in key subjects like the physical sciences, mathematics, English, IT/ITC and of equal importance, technical subjects such as plumbing, automotive/marine engineering, construction, horticulture/agriculture, and utilities technologies and others. "This is essential to address the current mismatch in supply and demand on the island, which is currently faced with too many Arts graduates and too few engineers, scientists and highly qualified craft and trades people. Alternattiva Demokratika will pay particular attention to requisite advanced skills in the service sector, for instance, in retailing, hospitality, catering, customer care and after sales aspects."
"The provisions for students with individual educational needs are to be reviewed and reformed. One of our proposals in this matter includes the provision, wherever possible, to be integrated into mainstream courses. Particular attention will be given to access issues such as access to buildings, facilities and the curriculum."
Victor Galea asserted that Alternattiva Demokratika promises its support to training providers. "The quality of vocational and technical curriculum must be improved and MCAST, The Institute of Tourism Studies and other training providers must be resourced and supported properly. The vocational curriculum will be viewed as equal in importance to the so-called academic subjects and be available to all and not just to the less scholastically able."
Dr. Harry Vassallo concluded by stating, "Our education system is modelled almost exclusively on the English system. Alternattiva Demokratika will ensure that other models from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia and New Zealand are also introduced and adapted into to our country. We will review the conditions of teachers and lecturers. More effective programmes of continued professional development need be updated and will be introduced for all teachers, including administrators in education. Alternattiva Demokratika will require more effective and open inspection regimes. Annual staff appraisals will be compulsory and marginal performers supported.
Institutions will be required to publish action plans after the inspections. The reasons why so much out-of-school tuition is occurring will be investigated and reformed. This is a burden on many families who are left without any option but to finance private lessons. If it is found that they are necessary, then the state should financially support the families for having to seek private tuition. Otherwise, the government should commit itself to formulating a national policy on private tuition."
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