Pass in core subjects still required for students to enter University, Teachers’ union calls for suspension

Pass in core subjects still required for students to enter University, UoM clarifies

Mar 25 2022

The University of Malta (UoM) has stated that while pass marks in core subjects Maths, English and Maltese are no longer required for Junior College enrolment, they are still required for University entry.

The academic institution clarified this following recent reports of new entry requirements for the Junior College. The UoM highlighted that towards the beginning of 2022, “the Board of the Junior College unanimously agreed to submit a proposal to the University’s Senate to amend the entry requirements to the Junior College in a bid to provide an even wider opportunity to students to continue their studies at the College.”

The Senate agreed with the proposals on a meeting held on January 20, stating that students in possession of six passes (Grades 1-5) at SEC level, with at least one pass in a core subject (Maths, English or Maltese) will be allowed Junior College entry on a probationary basis.

The students will still require a pass mark in whichever core subjects they did not initially achieve in order to proceed into university, with special classes to be offered for the missing core subjects.

The University stated that such changes shine a light on the University’s commitment to maximising the amount of students within their institutions.

The Malta Union of Teachers has since called for the suspension of the legal notice following an outcry from educators and the public due to lack of consultation with the MUT.

Read more on the official page here.

#MaltaDaily

COVID-19 tests no longer free in England as from next week

Mar 25 2022

As of coming Monday, COVID-19 tests will no longer remain free in England.

Two years after the country first went into lockdown to prevent further spreading of COVID-19, the English government has decided that English citizens will not be able to receive any more free COVID-19 tests but rather, pay for testing.

This new approach to testing comes as port of the government’s ‘live with Covid’ plan, by which the nation will attempt to move beyond self-isolation and restrictions and towards ‘the new reality’ which politicians have been aiming for in the past months.

By the numbers, an English government website states that “The Test & Trace programme cost £15.7 billion in 2021/22” and with Omicron being the main variant with less severity and the country reaching high immunity, “the value for taxpayers’ money is now less clear.”

Lateral flow tests will remain free for a number of at-risk individuals, who may receive rapid test boxes at not charge, along with PCR tests which will also become paid unless the subject falls into a high-risk category – all while Covid infection rates continue to rise in the UK.

What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily

‘The Batman’ director releases chilling deleted scene revealing new Joker

Mar 25 2022

Following the worldwide release and distribution of director Matt Reeves’ take on ‘The Batman’, Reeves has released an eerie deleted scene which sees Barry Keoghan’s Joker come face to face with Robert Pattinson’s Batman.

The Joker character has carried prestige ever since Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the movie madman and actors have had big shoes to fill ever since. After Ledger, Jared Leto’s notable portrayal certainly did grab the attention of DC fans for his colourful and eccentric take but it was Joaquin Phoenix who truly showed another side to Joker, securing him a well-deserved Oscar for his performance.

Fast forward to 2022 and fans have been gifted a glimpse of Irish actor Barry Keoghan delivering a Hannibal-esque take on the clown prince of Gotham in a way we have never seen before. Menacing, dark and eerie, this deleted scene has been raking in praise for Keoghan’s portrayal and if those few minutes are anything to go by, we can’t wait for what comes next.

Are you a fan of The Batman?

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European Champions Italy fail to qualify for World Cup again

Mar 24 2022

European Champions Italy have gone from cloud nine to World Cup misery once again, in a matter of months. The Azzurri failed to score in a must win game against up and coming side North Macedonia who defended like their lives on the line.

The Macedonians will now be hoping for another surprise win, this time against a Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal who beat Turkey 3-1. If they manage to beat Portugal, they will go to their first ever World Cup.

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The game was dominated by the Italians with them having around 32 shots compared to North Macedonia’s 4 and also winning the battle in possession, gaining 66% of the ball. Unfortunately for Azzurri fans the attack massively let them down with attackers such as Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile failing to challenge the goalkeeper and Domenico Berrardi missing numerous chances that could have easily given Italy the lead.

The first goal of the game finally came in the 92nd minute when Macedonian winger Aleksandar Trajkovski stunned the entire football world and managed to find the back of the net. The ball was calmly placed in the bottom left corner, with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma not being able to prevent it.

This loss will certainly be felt not only by Italians, but millions of Azzurri fans worldwide. This will mean that Italy’s next potential World Cup match will be in the year 2026, 12 years after their last World Cup match against Uruguay in the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

#MaltaDaily