Stimulant
Quality education is one of the Chief Executive's chief priorities.
The Education Commission is complementing this year's Policy Address by organising open forums to discuss reforms.
Your report of October 29, headlined, 'Pupils should study fewer subjects', highlighted the problem of subject overload at the secondary level discussed at one such forum held on the previous day. An issue raised but not reported was how university enrolment requirements impact the development of students at the secondary level.
If the universities' enrolment requirements can reflect the kind of education we want young people to have, then that would probably be a powerful stimulant to push curriculum reform at secondary schools.
It is generally agreed that we want our students to develop critical thinking abilities, creativity and good language and communication skills, as well as to be socially and environmentally conscious. The universities' enrolment criteria should reflect these qualities otherwise secondary schools will continue to be primarily driven by grades and examination results.
We hope that the commission will not overlook this important aspect.
MARIA FRANCESCH Citizens Party
