Preamble Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) and Kunsill Studenti Junior College (KSJC) are the two main councils that represent students attending Post-Secondary and Tertiary educational institutions. It is both the councils’ priority to work hand in hand to ensure that through this representation they ensure that the students’ needs are not only safeguarded but also heard by forwarding their proposals to the relevant authorities. Moreover it is of utter importance to encourage the students to contribute to the institution they form part of, through their representing council in order to propose improvements to the post-secondary and tertiary education systems. Together KSU and KSJC give the opportunity to their students to express their ideas and also their worrying issues, this being so that as the highest form of representation for the students, both councils can work with the administration of their respective institutions regarding these comments and complaints put forward by the student. The mentioned councils have a number of channels they can receive the students’ voice through and ensure that there is constant communication with every individual. Both councils work tirelessly to ensure that the interests of students are safeguarded when regards to the their respective fields of education and ensure to give their feedback. This work is aimed to ensure that the finest possible level of education is given to them with the available resources at such a higher institution. KSU and KSJC in their capacity confirm their commitment to continue improving the institution to which the students belong. The execution of this commitment is through their support towards all efforts made to keep increasing and improving the educational facilities provided. They will also do their utmost effort to ensure that both the environment and the contents of their examinations are satisfactory. In fact in past years, both councils have worked to compile feedback forms regarding examination hall conditions and also promoting the APQRU Study Unit Feedback. Subsequently all the comments gained from such forms are forwarded to the administration of the respective institution, so that the latter can work to improve the situation. Through all the aforementioned channels of communication, both student councils have come together to make the required efforts, as well as working to ensure that five minutes of extra reading time is given to all students before the start of their examinations at both their respective institutions.
Introduction This report was formulated following a meeting that was held between KSU and Prof. Juanito Camilleri, the Rector of the University of Malta on the 8th July 2014. Throughout this meeting the council brought this issue to the Rector’s attention and stated that following feedback from the students, KSU felt that an in detail proposal needed to be compiled and the abovementioned proposal brought to his attention. This request was also discussed during a meeting between the two councils on the 6th July 2014 and both were aware that work needed to be done from both councils to ensure that this should be taken on board in their educational institutions. Ensuring that both needed to put pressure on their respective institution’s administration to gather as much information about the system as possible. Consequently after discussing this issue with a number of stakeholders and advisers, the KSU Education Office and KSJC Education Commissioner are presenting this report to the respective Educational Institution’s Administration. KSU and KSJC have an active role in receiving and addressing student feedback and concerns and therefore will continue to do their utmost to represent the student body. Rationale for the 5 minute reading time Besides the feedback received, both councils also put forward the additional benefits the students would obtain if such a proposal was taken into action. This is based on the following rationale: Familiarisation The 5 minute reading time allocated will allow the students the chance to familiarise themselves with the set up and content of questions in the exam paper. We understand that during this time the students would not be allowed to write anything or highlight on the exam paper. This time can be used to read very carefully the instructions given by the examiner stating what is required from the students to answer the examination questions. Moreover, the students, by reading the paper are able to acquaint themselves with the way they should answer them, as well the style, order and also to determine exactly what is being asked to do. Decrease Anxiety KSU receives a number of complaints during the year regarding the fact that some students “blank out”. These extra 5 minutes will give the student enough time to calm down and also to ensure that one’s mind is set on the exam. This will ensure that the student will start their examination in an adequate state of mind to concentrate. Concentration Both Councils believe that by adding this 5 minute reading time before every exam, it will aid in the facilitation of the students’ concentration during their writing time. The reading time will enable the students to read the exam questions before and therefore will also help them to plan how to attempt the questions. This will surely increase the attention to details in the instructions, aiding the students to answer the
questions in the correct manner. Deal with Mistakes in the Paper. The 5 minute Reading Time will also give the student an allocated time to find any mistakes which may be present in the examination questions. During this time the student can check whether the paper has all the pages that have to be attempted, and also whether there are any detailed mistakes. In such cases, it will give time for the invigilators to contact the administration of the Faculty regarding any noticed mistakes, therefore reducing delays that may be linked with such a process. Time Management The reading time will also enable the student to plan their time appropriately. These few minutes will be beneficial for the students to plan the time one feels is adequate to respond each question. Such a proposal will also allow students to prioritise the questions which they find are worth more marks. Therefore the 5 minutes before starting to write their answers can be utilized to aid them in choosing the questions, which the student wants to choose, when such a choice is given. Logistics The proposal consists of giving 5 minutes reading time before each exam during which the students can only read and review the exam paper without any writing or highlighting. KSU and KSJC also held a meeting with the University of Malta Registrar Office and the Principal and Vice- Principal of Junior College to discuss the logistics of such a proposal. In the case of University, the councils were told that there should be 30 minutes between two exams that are to be held in the same venue. This time is dedicated for the change of invigilators. Therefore the councils are proposing that that 5 minutes before the start of each exam, the invigilators disseminate the exam paper showing the first page instead of the other way round 5 minutes before the start of the exam. After this the students will have 5 minutes during which they can read and review the papers. After all the student is already requested to be in the examination venue about 15 minutes before the start of the exam. In the case of Junior College, the councils believe that the same system should be used. However both KSU and KSJC are in discussion with the Principal to increase the time between the morning examination session (which starts at 9) and the one in the evening (which starts at 1). The Principal assured us that he will look into this proposal and ensure that the exams sessions will start at 9:00 and at 14:00. This will
increase the time between the exams allowing more time for the students to study and also for the process to proceed smoothly in regards of logistics. As already mentioned, during the 5 minute reading time no writing and highlighting should be allowed and if a student does this, it will be considered malpractice. KSU and KSJC find that this proposal is viable because the students are still asked to be in the exam hall about 15 minutes before. Overseas Education Institutions After some research by the KSU and KSJC executive members it was found out that several Universities and other education institutions abroad already implemented the reading time before all exams offered. Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia give 10 minutes reading time. During this time the students are only permitted to complete their attendance forms and fill in the covers of their answer books, then the pens are placed on the desk and no further writing is permitted. No other equipment such as calculators are allowed during this time too. Another example is provided by Taipei European School, where at the start of each examination paper (with the exception of multiple choice examination papers) candidates are allowed five minutes in which to read the paper. At the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), which is the UK’s only chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and internationally, also have certain exams which include 15 minutes reading time before the start of the exam. CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), which is a global institute also allows for 20 minutes reading time. The University of Tasmania in Australia also has a 15 minutes reading time, however this allows the writing of notes. Conclusion KSU and KSJC would like to kindly ask the University of Malta Senate and the University of Malta Junior College Board respectively to discuss and evaluate the proposal of the 5 minute reading time before the start of the normal duration of the exam and also to make this proposal more official by stating it in the respective regulations. The implementation of such a proposal will surely improve the performance of the students in both education institutions during their examination period.