At the start of the new scholastic year, the Education spokesperson for Alternattiva Demokratika Mario Mallia, thanked all those who helped to have schools ready and welcoming to receive students today. Mallia thanked the many LSAs and teachers who gave up so much of their time during summer to prepare themselves well for the new year.

He reiterated the need for schools to continue fostering a strong sense of reflection which accompanies action through the building of learning communities.

"It is through such communities of reflection that education can become even more inclusive of all children."

AD said that for this to be more possible, it insisted that the education authorities "need to continue to nurture initiatives and innovation in schools. This should be made more possible through structures which are more decentralised; where there is more space for decisions to be taken in schools themselves within their particular contexts."

Mallia also emphasised the need for more investment in support services including social workers, counsellors and family therapists among others, and that these setups are as close to individual schools as possible.

AD also hoped for more information regarding the implementation of the Learning Outcomes Framework, which is presently a source of uncertainty among educators. AD reiterated its best wishes to parents whilst urging them, "in particular fathers, to be more present in their children's educational journey."

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