Ministry opposes longer school hours plan

The Education Ministry disagrees with extending formal school hours to favour working parents, arguing that there are schemes in place that achieved the same results. It said existing, formal after-school programmes, especially targeted for children with special needs, had the same effect. The ministry was replying to questions by The Times following a proposal by the Malta Employers’ Association for the Government to lengthen the school day to encourage more parents to find jobs and work longer hours. In its pre-Budget proposals, the MEA made the case to cater for working parents with children in primary and secondary schools. It also argued that childcare should be made affordable to encourage stronger female participation. The Government, it said, should increase incentives to families wanting to avail themselves of childcare facilities. But the Education Ministry disagreed with the proposal and said it was already implementing several measures, including after-school facilities, aimed at helping working parents. A spokesman explained that Klabb 3–16 offered its services from the end of normal school hours until 6pm, during which three to 16-year-olds furthered their daily...