School's weekly radio programme a big success

Nobody can deny the importance and influence of the media. Proof of this lies in the enthusiasm, interest and motivation behind the radio programmes which students from Guzè Damato Secondary School in Paola have broadcast for the past nine months.

The idea behind this project matured during the last scholastic year in the course of the weekly afternoon sports and cultural activities held at school.

One of the groups was called the Radio Club. Inside a computer lab transformed into a studio, student members of this club, with the help of schoolteachers, produce and record programmes that are transmitted on Power FM 90.4 every Wednesday at 4 p.m., with repeats on Thursdays and Fridays at 9 a.m.

These programmes can also be accessed on the school's and Education Division's Websites and can be heard on Education 22.

The programmes tackle sports, culture and the environment and also include interviews with students and personalities connected with the school, such as the local mayor and foreign teachers and students, like those who visit from Norway every year.

Students also broadcast school news and attend to their friends' musical requests. Interesting programmes on archaeology and old Maltese traditions also feature.

As a result of this activity the students themselves feel closer and understand better what they learn in their social studies lessons. In fact, besides these radio broadcasts, there is the publication of a newspaper called L-Istampa by other students for students at the same school. This is yet another means of communication, complementing the radio broadcasts, which helps spread more culture, knowledge and education among youngsters.

This initiative by Paola Secondary School, which is also a means of self-expression, helps individual students develop their character, express their opinions on various topics and listen to what other students have to say while also expressing themselves at the same time. All this is basic democracy expressed in a practical way.

One is fascinated by the enthusiasm and motivation shown by these young broadcasters as they meet to produce and record one of the programmes, Il-Pagun. They discuss the research work on a particular subject, often carried out in the school library, or plans on their next programme.

They are further helped by Albert Muscat and Adrian Vella, two schoolteachers from Guzè Damato, and Manwel Cassar, a school technician with a good broadcasting background. All this takes place during the school lunch break.

These programmes have aroused interest among students and parents. Many parents have expressed their satisfaction at the fact that their children are participating directly in this project, the contents of which are very interesting. Parents have also been interviewed by the students during school activities, such as Parents' Day or the school's annual Open Day.

Among the Old Boys attending Guzè Damato there are a few who would like to build a broadcasting career. This school project could also encourage other students follow suit. In fact, some of the students participating in the school project are already being heard on some well-established radio stations.