Diversity in education - Mario Cardona

For the past months, reports in the Times of Malta have repeatedly highlighted the apprehension of some regarding the decision made by the Engineering Board to admit Mcast B.Eng. graduates to apply for a professional warrant. The apprehensions and protests warrant reflection.

Mcast takes pride in being a unique organisation that provides second-chance education to students who leave compulsory education without the necessary certification. It provides them with alternative education, enabling them to reach MQF level 3 and 4 and, thus, get into a degree programme if they wish to.

The Sec certificate issued by the Matsec board should not be the only credential to open up progression pathways into further education. Neither is the mostly summative-style Sec examination the only tool available to measure educational attainment.

That we should move away from a one-size-fits-all education system is now almost a cliché. Mcast provides other ways how to obtain qualifications at technical, Bachelor’s and Master’s level. Being a different one to the conventional academic route does not mean it is inferior or superior. 

It is simply a different route towards achieving professional...