Parents are the first educators, they should find time to spend with their children - Minister Bartolo
Education Minister Evarist Bartolo appealed to parents to find time to play, speak and engage with their children this summer and not abuse services such as childcare centres or Skolasajf.
“Parents are the first educators, and the child’s future depends not just on formal education, but also the parents’ input in their child’s development.”
Bartolo was speaking at the opening of the Skolasajf programme at Guze Preca Primary School, Ħamrun, yesterday. He said that children attending the summer school programme got to experience and learn about different perspectives of life and be fully stimulated throughout the day. “Children enjoy learning and it should be fun and sustainable experience for them.”
He added that state services such as the Breakfast Club, Klabb 3-16, Skolasajf and free child centres should not serve to replace parents as educators. “Both mother and father have an important role to play in the child’s development and a responsibility to find time to spend with them.”
Dermot Galea, CEO of Foundation for Education Services, explained that a lot went into planning Skolasajf, starting at the end of each cycle, when feedback is processed. The foundation organises the summer programme together with participating entities and schools. “We have around 1,900 staff members who help prepare Skolasajf, but not everyone appreciates the work and dedication that goes into this.”
Permanent Secretary for Education Frank Fabri highlighted agreed that the team was underappreciated. “Just a few weeks after the scholastic year ends, Skolasajf begins, and it is not simply a matter of opening the school doors. So much more goes into this complex programme.”
He also mentioned plans for a new international school in Mtarfa, and said that current students would be transferred to a school in Ħamrun.