Educating illegal immigrants

Fr Dionysius Mintoff's and Ray Hoo-ver's initiative (October 23) to help Eritrean children by providing some form of education during their stay in Malta is very commendable.

However, why Eritrean children only? What about the children of other nationalities? Why do Fr Mintoff and Mr Hoover appeal only to the government when there are many church schools and private schools in Malta that pride themselves and boast of their Christian identity?

There is also the Islamic school in Paola. There are certainly a number of children who come from an Islamic background and profess Islam.

Wouldn't Fr Mintoff consider organising some classes at the Peace Lab in Hal-Far? Fr Mintoff has great experience in the education sector and could perhaps recruit some volunteer teachers and members of religious organisations.

After all the government (taxpayer) is already going to great expense and inconvenience due to the problem of illegal immigration.