Some 4,000 children will flock to state schools all over the country this summer. But instead of pouring over their books and straining their eyes at the blackboard, they will be laughing in the classrooms and running around the playgrounds in an atmosphere that is as much about having fun as about learning.
Skolasajf, the Education Ministry's summer school programme, is open to all children in the last three classes of primary school. It will commence on Monday for two months of activities aimed at drawing out children's creativity in many different, enjoyable ways.
The pupils will paint, act, dance, sing, mime, discuss, play a sport and visit places of cultural or commercial interest. They will engage in specialised programmes such as thinking skills, healthy breakfast days, animal and drug awareness, use of computers and animation. Among the sports on offer are tenpin bowling, chess and athletics.
The children won't do everything, of course, but their summer promises to be somewhat more exciting than moping around at home with nothing much to do or even spending day after day at the beach.
Besides, their attendance will provide their parents, especially those who work, with a place to leave them for a morning, five times a week, in the peace of mind that they are well looked-after.
An important component of this year's activities is that they will also try to promote the values of democracy, inclusion and rights and responsibilities, a theme chosen in connection with the Year of Democracy in Schools.
At the end of the summer school a fieramaratona will be organised at Maria Regina school in Blata l-Bajda, to display examples of the children's activities, whether in art, mime, drama, sport or singing.
To make it all possible, 330 trainee teachers from the university will help out and about 130 heads, assistant heads and teachers will coordinate.
The Education Division's department for student services has a big hand in the organisation, and Paolo Bonnici Ltd and HSBC are contributing educational materials.