|
James Debono
As the feast of Munxar approaches, the mayor of Sannat is taking no risk on the safety of school children this time. Year after year whenever the majjistral wind blows, petards end up littering the school grounds.
If need be, on 28 May, the day after the Munxar festa, the Sannat school will open an hour late as Sannat mayor Carmel Camilleri is determined that children should not enter the school before the festa organizers have cleaned up their act.
The Sannat school is frequented by both Sannatin and Munxarin. But most school children from Munxar do not attend school the day after the festa.
The mayor has written to the police and to the education department to ensure that all petards are removed before the school opens its gates on Monday 28 May.
Two years ago when the wind blew in the direction of the school, the school’s handyman collected half a plastic bag full of used petards from the school grounds.
“This year we want to ensure that all precautions are taken to ensure that no risk is posed to the safety of school children,” Camilleri told MaltaToday.
The Munxar feast is celebrated next week. Although the patron saint of the village St Paul is officially commemorated on 10 Febraury, the outside festivities for the feast of St Paul in Munxar are celebrated in the third week of May. As any feast worthy of its name, Munxar celebrates its patron saint with fireworks.
“I have nothing against the celebrations but we can take no risks on the safety of our children,” says Camilleri.
A small room from where fireworks are let off is every year constructed in the fields between the two villages.
Green Party councillor John Mizzi told MaltaToday he is working hand in hand with the mayor on this issue.
Mizzi lamented that the police have issued permits without consulting with the local council. But he said he would prefer if the fireworks are let off further away from the school. “After all, I would not like to see our children starting school late because of the fireworks,” Mizzi said.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
|
