Be the first to comment!Funds to help support vulnerable students to rise to €30,000
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As from the next scholastic year the grant given to school principals to help support vulnerable students will be tripled, from €10,000 to €30,000 per year, Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced.
Dr Abela explained that thanks to this increase, school principals 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 outings and educational activities or otherwise buy books and other important material 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 maximise 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.
It was explained that students who can 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 their family. In certain circumstances, this fund has been used to pay for specialised services necessary for the development, well-being or inclusion of the student,” he said.
The Prime Minister, together with the Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri, 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 sports activities to ensure that the formation of our children, even during the summer break months, continues.”
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.
Photo: DOI
