School year opens - Minister insists early pick-up time for schoolchildren is unacceptable

The new scholastic year appears to have started smoothly this morning, with no problems reported in school transport, despite the fact that the Unscheduled Bus Service is also providing coaches to augment the bus service. It was a red letter day at St Claire College in Pembroke, which became the first state co-ed secondary school - with the exception of the Sports School which opened last year.  Education Minister Evarist Bartolo visited the college this morning. Boys and girls have for the first time been mixed in Form One, with 80 boys joining what had been previously a girls' school. The headmistress said teachers had been prepared and any concerns appeared to have been eased. She pointed out that the children had already been in 'mixed' classes in primary school. Also for the first time, the concept of a middle school has been introduced in a state school, with St Claire's grouping Forms I and II in the new middle school.   Mr Bartolo said close to €500,000 had been invested in this schools during the summer in order to improve classroom and sports facilities.  €13 million were spent in schools in general.  Mr Bartolo expressed concern over reports that some schoolchildren had...