Education Act to be amended by end of year

Education minister Evarist Bartolo today expressed his disappointment at the level of participation of parents in state school councils and announced plans to empower parents.

"I am not happy at the level of participation of parents in their children's education," Bartolo said, adding that only 17 state schools out of 102 held council elections in January.

No elections were held in 83 schools, since the number of nominations was inferior to the number of available posts, while two schools ended up without a school council since no nominations were submitted.

The government is looking at amending the Education Act by the end of the year and strengthen the school councils before the next round of elections in January 2014.

The education ministry will pilot a campaign which will encourage parents to submit their ideas and suggestions at how their participation in the educational system could be strengthened.

"We are also disappointed with the quality of participation of parents in school councils," Bartolo added. He said that parents did participate in fund-raising events and in the organization of outings, however there was a lack of participation in other areas.

The ministry's priorities include giving parents a more active role in school life, consult parents on a regular basis on major issues, provide training to parents to help their children in teaching and learning and involve parents in the National Literacy Strategy.

"When given the opportunity, parents do participate and play an important role in the education of their children," the minister said, citing a number of initiatives in which parents played an important part.

These included programmes for autistic children and the creation of summer clubs.

The minister said that the school council model in Malta was not homogeneous given that state, independent and church schools had different structures.

State school councils are composed of three parents, three teachers, the head of school and the council president nominated by the education minister.

Describing the independent San Anton school council as the most democratic model, having nine parents on the school council, Bartolo said: "we have a lot to learn from the San Anton model."

 The minister put down the low levels of participation to the lack of empowerment. "We need to empower parents further. We are looking a changing the law to democratise the governance structures of our schools," Bartolo said.

Studies show that parents play an important role, with their influence on students outweighing that of policy and what happens in classrooms.

"Parents are crucial in the education of their children and empowering parents would benefit the students and the system," Bartolo said.