'Razzett tal-Hbiberija' SOS

Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija provides free of charge many government schools with leisure-education services, "disguised" as fun but designed to help develop posture (through horse-riding), communication and self-confidence (through art). Art, music and animal interaction work wonders with the children. The parents see their children improve and spread the word. More schools have got in touch with Ir-Razzett to have their children included in these leisure-education activities. Ir-Razzett can handle this growing demand. It has adequate facilities but lacks the necessary funds.

The government schools themselves lack the necessary funds to cover the costs of these programmes. The Ministry of Education has an annual budget for special education of more than Lm200,000 but it all goes to the Eden Foundation and other organisations, including Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, get nothing of it.

The Ministry of Social Policy gives Ir-Razzett a grant of Lm5,000 per annum from their Lm750,000 budget. However, the Finance Ministry takes back Lm1,250 per annum for holding a car boot sale on Sundays. The Finance Ministry also takes back over Lm5,000 per annum in VAT. So Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija is a net contributor to the government!

Ir-Razzett is saving the government more than Lm160,000 a year providing educational and therapeutic services to 1,019 disabled people, 15 organisations and 50 schools. The ministries of social policy, education and finance keep bouncing Ir-Razzett from one ministry to another, saying they do not have money for them.

It is true that Malta is not flourishing at the moment, but a 50 per cent subsidy of the services offered by Ir-Razzett would not make the country bankrupt! The government manages to spend much more on less useful items. Seventeen schools have already been turned away. Angry and hurt parents are blaming Ir-Razzett for depriving their disabled children of much needed services. Parents should start putting pressure on the government to enter into a private-public partnership with Ir-Razzett and provide services to all who need them.