Church schools urged to help educate immigrant children

Church schools are being urged to do their utmost to help educate the children of immigrants and refugees.

A circular on the subject issued by Educational Services director Bro. Saviour Gatt has been sent to all the heads of kindergartens, primary and secondary Church schools, the Curia said in a statement yesterday.

A few weeks ago, 30 children of illegal immigrants were admitted to state schools and recently Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg had expressed his wish in Parliament that other schools, particularly private schools, would follow suit to offer this service to these children.

Earlier this month, Fr Dionysius Mintoff, founder of the John XXIII Peace Lab, had said in a letter to The Sunday Times that it was "a pity that Church schools and the Islamic primary school did not offer their service".

Bro. Saviour wrote: "I am well aware of the sacrifices that many of you make to accommodate children in your schools, especially in primary schools which are packed.

"However, when one takes into consideration the great sacrifice that immigrants and refugees have made to leave their homeland and all their belongings, one cannot but help out," he said.

Bro. Saviour suggested that one of the ways that schools could show solidarity was to help them learn the basics of English.

"Maybe a person or two of your community who have retired could dedicate a few hours a week to teaching small groups of children. I leave it in your hands to determine how best to help these children," he said.