Green Party favours regularisation of private lessons industry

Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed concern over proposed changes to the Education Act, which fail to address the lack of regularisation in the delivery of private lessons to students.

Putting forward the Green Party’s proposals, AD spokesperson Mario Mallia questioned whether the government was protecting the people who stand to lose from a regularised industry.

In recommendations made as part of the consultation process on the new Education law, AD also expressed its objection to home schooling goes, arguing that it went against the obligations of the state to provide education.

Mallia said that home schooling marginalizes children and that every student has a right to develop social skills by interacting with other students.  

Mallia also questioned the proposed introduction of a Board of colleges, which AD feels adds another layer between schools and the decisions being taken in their regard.

AD was also critical of provisions which give the ministry the right to issue a code of discipline for schools as well as obliging licenced teachers to submit themselves for training programmes as dictated by the ministry, insisting that these decisions should be left to the schools to decide on.

AD praised the inclusion of representation for Learning Support Assistants and Kindergarten Assistants on the Education Council as this recognises the value of their work.

Mallia said that AD also agrees with the decision to extend oversight by the Education Council to students up till the age 18. This had previously been limited to students aged 16 or younger and AD believes this will help for there to be continuity in the education system after students leave secondary school, stressing that coordination between primary, secondary and tertiary education is important.

Finally Mallia welcomed the inclusion of the obligation for a Student Impact Assessment before the introduction of new incentives noting that this should serve a reminder that at the centre of every decision there should be the interests of the children