During a visit to students attending SkolaSajf in Żejtun, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the Government will be implementing another measure promised in the Electoral Manifesto and which will be helping the most vulnerable children. Dr Abela announced that from the next scholastic year the grant given to school principals to help children lacking basic necessities will be tripled, from €10,000 to €30,000 per year.
Dr Abela explained how thanks to this increase, school heads will be in a better position to help students and their families who do not have the means to buy uniforms and school clothes, prepare lunches for school, pay for educational trips and activities or otherwise buy books and other important materials for strengthening skills. “This is a measure that ensures that no one falls behind. Our children, wherever they come from, must have the best opportunity to maximize their full potential,” said Dr Abela. He maintained that thanks to this increase, school heads can ensure that no one indeed falls behind and that everyone reaches their potential.
A measure from the electoral manifesto carried out in the first hundred days of a new Government that will start from the next scholastic year
Dr Abela continued to say that this is not just an electoral measure carried out, but a proposal that will truly continue to lift those most in need up, so that in fact no student will have obstacles to their educational and personal progress. “Through this measure we are ensuring that social justice is implemented in practice. Education remains the key to social mobility”, stated Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Students who may benefit from this fund are identified by the school, in collaboration with the College’s psychosocial team. Identification is always done in a sensitive, confidential and respectful manner, based on the real needs of the student and his/her family. In certain circumstances, this fund has been utilized to pay for specialized services necessary for the development, well-being or inclusion of the student.
The Head of Carlo Diacono Middle and Secondary School in Żejtun, Adrian Galea, welcomed the announcement. “These increases in funding are a good investment in our schools, which we welcome. This will give Heads of Schools more flexibility to address the specific needs in our schools, improve the learning environment and strengthen resources that directly improve the educational experience of students,” said the Head of School. He concluded by saying that this increase in support will help to make schools safer, more inclusive and better equipped for every student.
Meanwhile at the same school and accompanied by the Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri, Prime Minister Robert Abela described the SkolaSajf service as very important for the formation of Maltese and Gozitan children and youth. “It is a holistic service that focuses on creative activities, on sporting activities to ensure that the formation of our children, even during the summer break months, continues,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Dr Abela said that he strongly believes in the educational services provided during SkolaSajf, both in the formation of children and also in helping those families who need services such as those offered during SkolaSajf. The Prime Minister also noted that during SkolaSajf, various ancillary services are being offered to children, including therapy through psychotherapists. This year, a total of 12,634 children are attending SkolaSajf, in 54 centres across Malta and Gozo. A total of 2,761 educators are participating in SkolaSajf with a total investment of €7.4 million.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also visited one of the calming spaces that are being created as part of another measure being implemented by the Government’s work programme for which a strong electoral mandate was given by the people last June. The calming spaces initiative in schools is an important measure that complements the concept of multisensory rooms, with the aim of creating more inclusive and sensitive educational environments for the different needs of students. Calming spaces provide an opportunity for students to take some time out of the classroom when they need to regulate their emotions, reduce stress or refocus on learning.
Also present for this visit were the Chairperson of the Foundation for Educational Services (FES) Pamela Schembri, the Chief Executive of FES Michael Bondin and the Principal of St. Thomas Moore College George Psaila.
Photo: OPM/DOI
