Massive drop in children in state schools in past 15 years

The number of children attended state schools has dropped by 14,648 in the past 15 years.

Statistics released in parliament by education minister Evarist Bartolo in response to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Franco Mercieca reveal that 13,740 children attended state primary schools in the 2014/15 academic year, a significant drop from the 21,311 in the 2000/01.

Similarly, 11,495 students attended state secondary schools last year, compared with 18,572 in 2000/01.

Bartolo said that private school attendance records have only been kept since 2008, rendering proper comparisons impossible.

The number of primary school children in Church schools increased from 6,926 in 2010 to 7,585 last year. The number of secondary Church school students dropped marginally from 7,634 in 2010 to 7027 last year.

Independent primary school students dropped marginally from 3,046 in 2010 to 3,005 last year. The number of students in independent secondary schools rose slightly from 2,280 to 2,745.