Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo has presented a new set-up at St Clare’s College in Malta, where students will be gradually integrated into a co-education system. This decision was taken after considering several options, however this was the ideal solution for this case.

The Minister promised all the help and support necessary for effective implementation of the co-ed system. Meetings with parents and teachers from St Clare’s College took place over the past weeks, and concerns as well as suggestions were considered when presenting the plan.

All the necessary changes in the infrastructure to accomodate this set-up will be carried out during the summer months in preparation for the next scholastic year. The number of students in classrooms will be kept to a maximum of 20, following suggestions by teachers at St Clare’s Secondary School. Consideration on a number of subjects, such as Physical Education (PE) and Personal and Social Development (PSD), will be addressed.

A working committee will be set-up, which will include a parent respresentative, to address the concerns and needs of the school.

The Minister also explained the set-up of the ‘middle school’ concept, whereby students in Forms 1 and 2 will be seperated within the school structure from Forms 3, 4 and 5. This will cater for different needs that students have and address issues such as bullying and discipline.

Minister Bartolo stressed the need for schools to be more autonomous and decentralise the decision-making process for the benefit of teachers and students.

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