AD welcomes Ombudsman’s MATSEC recommendations on special needs candidates

AD has welcomed the latest report released by the Commissioner for Education in the Office of the Ombudsman on MATSEC Access Arrangements for Special Needs Candidates with Reference to candidates suffering from ADHD, Autism or Dyslexia Conditions.

AD spokesperson Anna Azzopardi said that AD appreciates that through the publication of this report, the relevant stakeholders were consulted. "AD believes that in matters of access and education, everyone should be consulted including parents and youths. Youths should be given as much accessibility and should be empowered to succeed in their exams. They should be tested and assessed on their knowledge, and their ability to express their knowledge might be hindered by the way the examination process is designed. Thus examinations and assessments should be designed in a way which ensures the fruitfulness of the learning process, and which does not turn the learning process into a nightmare."

Azzopardi insisted that disabilities are caused or exacerbated by socially imposed barriers. "The exam and assessment process should encourage learning, and not be a barrier. It is unacceptable that young people are unable to reach their full potential later on in life merely because the assessment methods are subject to overly bureaucratic and archaic systems. It has also been noted from the report that the systems which allow pupils access and support, such as psychological evaluation and statementing systems, are difficult to access, both for financial and logistical reasons.  It is unacceptable that the future of young people is put at risk for such reasons."

The provision of support and access should be an efficient one which starts from the first day of compulsory education. It should be easily accessible to everyone in an equitable manner, and finances should not be a further barrier. Moreover, the MATSEC board should be ready and
open to embrace new technologies as part of a changing world. Young people have the right to choose and perform to the highest of their potential in life. For this to be done, they need to be given an equitable and efficient start.

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2hdmpfc
via IFTTT