The Hall at Europa House in Valletta was packed on the morning of the 22nd March 2011 when the MCWO organised a public dialogue on the Benefits of After School Activities. The programme (which can be seen here) gives details of the event.
The business of the day got underway with the MCWO’s proposals on the benefits and therefore the need of After School Activities submitted by Ms Renee Laiviera, MCWO Chair (MCWO Dialogue Benefiċċji tal-Attivitajiet ta’ wara l-Iskola). Then followed the interventions of a mother and a Lecturer at Junior College, Ms Annick Bonello Cassar and a grandmother, ex-teacher and President of Attard Ladies Circle, Ms Lydia Sciberras who both shared their experiences. (Why Afterschool) The former gave a structured presentation of the many hours children spend outside formal schooling. The latter highlighted the difficulties grandparents face to care for their nieces and nephews during the time their parents are at work.
The importance of after school activities was emphasised by Dr Ruth Falzon, Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Malta (After School Activities – Benefits). This gave rise to an in-depth discussion as she presented the benefits of after school activities for all school children irrespective of age in order to provide a holistic development to the individual child. Obviously benefits are higher for children from less motivated backgrounds.
Panel 1, chaired by Renee Laiviera, was made up of the employers’ associations, unions and FHRD. All were in favour of introducing a structured programme of after school activities. The MUT President proposed working together to draw up a memorandum of understanding that would push for a pilot project in each of the 10 colleges by October 2011. All the members of the panel registered their agreement. There was also a suggestion to include the local councils that would be invited to take on responsibility for such projects. There was also a suggestion to use ESF to fund the pilot projects.
Panel 2, chaired by Anna Borg, was made up of Ms Ruth Baldacchino, FES, Ms Rosette Thake, Vista Coop and Dr Romina Bartolo, NCPE. Ms Baldacchino spoke of the Club 3-16 being organised in Fgura, B’kara and Mosta. It transpired that the major problem is transporting children to the centre where after school activities are being organised. This still needs parents/ grandmothers/ relatives to be available. Another issue was that of fees that although subsidised can prove a milestone for families with financial limitations. Ms Thake spoke of the activities Vista Coop provides and how cooperatives can also come on board for other organisational initiatives. Dr Bartolo highlighted the need for an educational campaign on the benefits of after school activities to create demand.
Discussion from the floor continued to enrich the deliberations. Press coverage was immediate and quite extensive. The MCWO intends to continue to work to bring about positive results with the support of all stakeholders.
Read more about this event at Times of Malta and MaltaToday.
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| MCWO Chairperson Renee Laiviera being interviewed by PBS reporter Daphne Cassar | |
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| L to R: Rosette Thake, Vista Coop; Dr.Romina Bartolo, CEO, NCPE; Anna Borg, MCWO Member; Ruth Baldacchino, Senior Executive, FSE. | L to R: John Bencini, President MUT; Gaetano Tanti, President UHM; Michael Parnis, Dept. Sec., General GWU; MCWO Chairperson Renee Laiviera;Joe Gerada, CEO, FHRM; Joe Tanti, CEO, MBB; Joe Farrugia, DG, MEA. |
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| Michelle Muscat, wife of the Leader of the Labour Party Dr. Joseph Muscat and Renee Laiviera. | L. Louise Falzon, Information Resource Center Director and Cultural Assistant, American Embassy. R. Tracy Brown Consular Officer, American Enbassy. |
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| L to R: Margaret Attard, MAWB member; Helen Borg Bonnici, National Council for Elderly; Doris Sammut, MAWB President. | L to R: John Bencini, President MUT; Gaetano Tanti, President UHM; Michael Parnis, Dept. Sec., General GWU; MCWO Chairperson Renee Laiviera;Joe Gerada, CEO, FHRM; Joe Tanti, CEO, MBB. |
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| Left. MCWO Chairperson Renee Laiviera, Right. Annick Bonello Cassar Lecturer. |
