The Office of the Commissioner for Children is inviting the public for a discussion addressing the Education System in Malta. This is the fourth discussion following the drawing up of the Manifesto for Children, published earlier this year. The Manifesto for Children is based on the principles found in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and one of the issues addressed in the Manifesto is the Education System.

Various topics need to be addressed relating to the Education System in Malta, amongst which is the streaming system in primary state schools which is slowly being eradicated, and the system of colleges being currently introduced. Stress caused by exams and an overloaded syllabus, even at the early levels, is one of the aspects in the Maltese education system about which the Office of the Commissioner for Children receives numerous complaints. This is also one of the factors impinging on the right of children for recreation. The Manifesto for children also addresses absenteeism, school transport, and the education of school age mothers. Further discussion is also necessary regarding special and inclusive education.

These are amongst the issues which will be addressed in the discussion. Dr. Valerie Sollars B.Ed.(Hons),M.A.(Ed.Psych.)(Mont.),Ph.D.(Manch.), Head of Department of Primary Education at the University of Malta, will make a brief presentation on the topic, as presented in the Manifesto. Thereafter, the public and all those present are encouraged to put forward their recommendations for a report to be drawn up and presented to the authorities to encourage their implementation.

The discussion will be held on Monday 28th July 2008 between 17.30 – 19.30 hours at The Office of the Commissioner for Children, Centru Hidma Socjali, 469 St Joseph High Road, Sta Venera. The Office encourages you to attend, share your thoughts, and make your contributions to the discussion. The discussion is open to the public, hence we kindly ask you to invite other persons within your organization, members of the public, and children to come and join us. Kindly confirm your attendance for the discussion by calling the Office on 21485180 during office hours or via email on sharon.a.attard@gov.mt.

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