31,513 students back to school

A total of 31,513 students will be returning to their school benches this week as schools open their doors for the 2015/16 scholastic year.

In all state and Church schools and a few of the independent schools, secondary level students will be taught the following vocational subjects: SEC agribusiness, SEC engineering technology, SEC health and social care, SEC hospitality u SEC information technology.

A total of 106 teachers and 59 university students within the Faculty of Education were trained in teaching vocational subjects.

In a statement, the Ministry for Education noted how the students, teachers and staff will find “nicer schools” following an extensive maintenance programme spread over the past months.

No less than €43 million were invested in 28 educational projects in Malta and Gozo.

Co-education enters its third year: for the first time, boys and girls attending first and second years of the state’s secondary schools will be sharing the same classroom.

A total of 4,900 students are in a co-ed system.

The government is also planning the opening of a new school, Ġużè Ellul Mercer (GEM 16+) for students who failed to obtain their O-levels and wish to continue studying. They will receive a stipend.

New centres will be opened for some 2,000 students to properly learn both the Maltese and English languages.

An ‘Education Hub’ will be opened in Msida for secondary level students while alternative programmes to the Prince’s Trust will be launched.

Substantial investment was carried out at the Alternative Learning Programme centre in Rahal Gdid.

The Ministry for Education is also working on a number of specialised programmes, including a national programme for primary level schools to improve children’s quality of life.

Over 46,000 students will be measured for their body mass index.

Further investment will be carried out to improve school libraries. Last year, the government provided public libraries with over 50,000 additional books.

For teachers, the government has introduced paid study leave. 18 eligible teachers who applied for the paid study leave were offered a sabbatical.

New laptops are being bought for teachers, kindergarten assistants and LSAs. 

State schools

Year    Pop

K1       2945

K2       3034

P1        2557

P2        2472

P3        2470

P4        2268

P5        2225

P6        2203

S1        2463

S2        2205

S3        2103

S4        2170

S5        2398

                      Church            Independent

Primary          8872                 5156

Secondary      7537                 2342              

Total

State – 31,513

Church – 16,409

Independent – 7,498