Independent schools call for assistance to parents
The newly-formed Independent Schools Association said today that while the schools wished to retain their independence and therefore did not seek government funding, financial assistance should be given to parents so that they would have a proper choice of where to send their children.
The association was formally set up today during a meeting at St James Cavalier which was also attended by Education Minister Dolores Cristina.
Association President Bernie Mizzi underlined the importance of independent schools, which are currently responsible for the education of 7,000 children.
She said independent schools have existed to offer choice to parents. The independent schools were the first to introduce mixed-ability classes, differentiated learning, inclusion, co-education and an embracing of all faiths. 97% of students move into further education at the end of their compulsory schooling.
It was pointed out that while state schools are funded by the government, and Church schools receive substantial state funding, little assistance is given to the private sector.
Ms Mizzi said the new association had commissioned a report on the viability of the private schools sector. The report, being drawn up with assistance by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, would include recommendations of how the government could help this sector in a way which would maintain its independence but also ensure that parents were able to include it among the options for the schooling of their children. Such models could include the enhancing of tax rebates currently given to parents of private school children.
Ms Mizzi said the private schools had introduced many concepts which were now being adopted by the state and Church schools, but as those two sectors were reformed, it was important that independent schools retained their importance within the education system and such changes did not impact the independent sector negatively.
The minister said she had been lucky, as a parent, to experience the education of her own children in state, Church and private schools, and her experience of private schools was a positive one. She agreed that it was important that parents had a choice on where to send their children and said that as minister of education, she did not like distinctions between state, Church and independent schools.
Several parents attended the launch meeting, with one of them, Alex Torpiano, pointing out that assistance to enable parents to send their children to private independent schools helped to allay fears of elitism in those schools. He said that models such as those in Sweden and Holland should be studied by the local authorities.
The schools which currently form the association are San Anton, St Catherine's, St Martin's, San Andrea, St Edward's, St Michael Foundation, Little Angels, Mariam Al Batool, Chiswick, Thi Lakin, Garendon, St Michael, Noddy's and Newark
33 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
J VELLA
May 18th 2010, 16:51
From my experience I send my children in an indiprndent school for the past 6 years. But I am really dissappionted and transferred them to state school for 3 reasons. they always invent and ask for extra money after we pay fees every 3 months, there syllabus is too much and they are driving our children crazy. after my experience I will never send my children to indipendent school cause it is a ripeoff. And you get to know what they learnt when they grow up. In state schools they learn slowly but without all that stress. The reason they send their children to learn better english but reading a lot you get that too. I SHOULD ASK THE GOVERMENT TO LOOK AT THE MONEY THEY ASK TO THE CHILDREN IN THESE SCHOOLS WHERE IT GOES AND IF THEY PAY TAXES ON IT.
Lawrence Micallef
Mar 11th 2010, 21:21
I send my children to independent schools. Why should my taxes be used so as to pay for the education of other children in state schools, and then, over and above, I have to pay for the education of my own children ? That is double payment for us. If private schools did not exist, the burden on the taxpayer would be much much greater, since the government would need more schools to cater for more children. As the government schools are becoming better, and as private schools are becoming more expensive, the trend to send children to private schools is dwindling. Such a relative decrease in the number of children who go to private schools, would be at the cost of the tax payer who now has to pay for the full education of the ever increasing state school population. A bit of subsidy would reverse the trend for the benefit of the taxpayer.
Alfred Cassar
Mar 9th 2010, 22:35
My children were all educated in state schools but I have nothing against private schools. I think parents who chose to send their children to private schools have to pay for what they think is 'a better service'.
But on the other hand I agree that they are entitled to some form of refund by the Government. They are probably in the higher tax bracket and they are paying indirectly for the running of state schools, a service which they are not using though this is their choice.
So yes considering all this reasoning, they should be entitled to a small form of refund, not subsidy as a few are saying.
c.camilleri
Mar 9th 2010, 19:55
Who pays the piper calls the tune. Private schools must be careful if they want to preserve their independence, unless they want to follow the Church's schools way. one cannot have the cake and eat.
F Spiteri
Mar 9th 2010, 19:34
I cannot but laugh at some of the "anti-independent school" comments!!
"Fancy elitism" and not mixing with "the other classes of society" ?????????
People who have no idea of what an independent school is may get better informed prior to leaving their comment!!!!!!!!
@Charles Falzon
The government todate considers the fees paid as non-taxable. I believe that the state must provide much more help than just that as a "thank you" for having 7,000 students not requesting premises where to learn, around 300 teachers who would be required to teach them, books, etc from the public funds!!!
Charles Falzon
Mar 9th 2010, 18:31
If you want to keep your fancy elitism fine by me, but not at someone else's expense. Besides, the Government gives a tax reduction to private schools parents.
Peter Gee
Mar 9th 2010, 17:50
EUREKA! Lets all send our children to private schools. That way the government will have to cut taxes as it wont need the money for state education, and on top of that we'll all qualify for financial assistance!
V. Zammit
Mar 9th 2010, 17:49
A vacuum has been filled. Now the stool stands on three legs as should be. Independent schools have state duties. They should also have state rights. And if the situation were to be regularised following objective and dispassionate analysis, the state stands to gain (state school costs are 2.5 times more than private ones’, not including capital expenditure) and parents would have a greater choice where to send their children. Fees would find a level that is fair. And parents would not be “forced” to send their children to which schools, as one commentator unwittingly put it, but after first denigrating independent schools. And the perception of elitism, amongst so many others, is quashed for good. As to the other comment about paying taxes for others who can afford to pay fees, perhaps the answer is that taxation is an overarching regime for the common good. Do we not all pay taxes for “free” state health, education, etc. to all and sundry, be they richer or poorer? Are there not people who can afford to pay fees and yet opt for public health, education, etc. Why shouldn’t they? If so, why should the other way round not be as valid?
daniela grech
Mar 9th 2010, 17:46
Well thank God Malta is a democratic country and everybody has the right to send their children to any school they choose!!!!! For all you dear writers who said that many parents send their children to private school because of 'hmerijiet' and 'those who do not wish their children to mix with all social classes' , this is completely FALSE. Yes children who go to private schools come from all over Malta therefore generating an environment which is socially mixed, and I am saying this from experience and not out at the back of my head. Private school cater for other things such as particular individual attention, classes are smaller and therefore this is possible. Just because a parent opts to sending their child to a goverment school does not mean that one is stuck up or a snob. It is a choice .
T Camilleri
Mar 9th 2010, 17:23
Rose Agius, Peter Mangion, p.mifsud and all those who want subsidies. If you want to send your children to a private school then do so but YOU pay for them and don't ask us to subsidize you, otherwise send them to the government schools.
C Agius It benefits only those who sent their children to private schools and not allow their children to mix with the other classes of society.
F Spiteri
Mar 9th 2010, 17:11
I am one of the parents who opted to send my children to an independent school rather than state school. May I answer some comments hereunder calling this form of assistance as "sussidju" (??) etc. Todate I still pay taxes which go towards the education system in Malta. On the other hand, I do not make use of this system. So to have a refund of my taxes is only reasonable and not a subsidy from the government!
Also, should these students attend state schools, the government would have to employ around 280 teachers for them!!!!!! So .... ??
M.Farrugia
Mar 9th 2010, 17:00
Kif jghid il malti ahna klieb taghna nfusna.
Il-gvern jinvesti miljuni ta flus f'edukazzjoni b'xejn kwazi f'kull rahal ta Malta u Ghawdex u ahna minhabba hafna hmerijiet ta mohhna ndahhluha f'mohnna li l-iskejjel tal gvern huma hziena.
Ma niskantax jekk bir riformi li gejjin, l-iskejjel tal gvern ghad isiru l-ahjar u forsi ghalhekk l-iskejjel indipendenti qed jinkwetaw.
M.Farrugia
Mar 9th 2010, 16:53
c agius, what do you expect, no improvements in church and state schools, just to protect private schools.
H.Calleja
Mar 9th 2010, 16:51
This independent schools association is very wily. First they organised themselves in a group and now they are asking for financial assistance. Who is and wants to be called 'independent' should not ask for help! If it was educational help I agree but when one considers that the government is already helping through tax rebates, there should not be any extra financial help. The government has some of the best schools at all levels, which are free to all. We have a free tertiary education with students also receiving a stipend. It is also subsidising in full all church schools. If it gives in to their plea, all schools should be called government schools! Would they want to lose their 'independence?
Rose Agius
Mar 9th 2010, 16:37
In the UK , a percentage of the tax collected from taxpayers goes towards education - tax payers can choose to which school they would like their part of taxation to go to - how is that for fairness? So in Malta, many of the people who pay the high tax rates send their children to private independent school so in reality they are the ones subsidising state eductation and not the ones who send their children to state school as many of these do not earn enough to pay much tax any way. And what kind of choice do parents have when places in church schools are drawn by lot...it is a take it or leave it situation as those who are drawn at the start have a real choice, the rest just fill in the places that the others before them did not want. What kind of choice is this may I ask?
If parents are financially constrained in their choice for their children's education, then it is not really a free chopice for all..
R Axisa
Mar 9th 2010, 15:59
Mela sewwa, il-gvern waqqaf is-sussidju fuq id-dawl u l-ilma, imbaghad iridu li jissussidja lil dawk l-istudenti li jattendu skejjel privati ghar-raguni li mhumix ta' piz fuq il-gvern. Bl-istess ragunament, imissna issa nitolbu sussidju meta wiehed imur jaghmel operazzjoni fi sptar privat ghax ma jkunx ta' piz fuq il-gvern! U bilhaq, dawk il-genituri li jibaghtu lil uliedhom fi skejjel privati, diga ghandhom tax rebate! Nahseb li dik diga bizzejjed. Min imur jinqeda fi sptar privat ghandu l-istess privilegg? - li jinghat tax rebate fuq il-flus li jkun hallas fl-isptar privat bhal m'ghandhom dawk li jibaghtu t-tfal fi skejjel privati??? Diga tezisti diskriminazzjoni, ahseb u ara jekk tintlaqa' din it-talba!
G.Portelli
Mar 9th 2010, 15:52
@Mr. gerald fenech
Mr. Fenech that is why they need more incentives so that more low income families could afford to send their children to private schools to reduce what you erroneously called "class segregation".
Peter Mangion
Mar 9th 2010, 15:47
Mr Camilleri, How would you be supporting me??
Right now I am supporting you cos the government does not have to pay for my child's education, thus using the tax money you( assuming you do) and I pay, to educate your child.
When reading many comments on this website, I start to think of Karl Marx.....Russian Revolutiuon.....
p.mifsud
Mar 9th 2010, 15:37
My children's education comes first and will always be this way. I am proud of the quality of education my chldren receive in these modern Independent schools. Yes of course the government should help out. Our taxes should be reduced because we do not just depend on the government. Our childrens allowance should be higher than those who have their kids in state or church schools because they fully depend on the government. A government that is forever pumping money into these schools. I know hundreds of parents who prefer sending their kids to state or church schools so that they can very selfishly buy luxury cars, a second property and a number of holidays during the year !!!! Perhaps the government should also consider putting pressure on the church to increse these silly miserable contributions which are indeed a joke at present !!
E Gatt
Mar 9th 2010, 15:36
Depending on government funds would make independent schools less independent.
It would be better to wait a couple of years till when the economy picks up enough and then reduce income tax. Less income tax will increase purchasing power and allow more parents to consider independent education.
C Agius
Mar 9th 2010, 15:20
Why does it have to happen in Malta whenever a new system or project is supposed to be for the benefit of all concerned? Who ever took any notice during the prepartion of the new system , that other schools ie private exist ? Is somebody interested in these schools closing down? And who that might be the state , the church or both. Surely if there is any sincerity left both in the state apparatus and church administration an agreement can be found to accomodate one and all.
p bonnici m
Mar 9th 2010, 15:16
For those parents who seem to think that parents of childen who attend independant schools are "well off" ought to think again before talking.... we happen to be parents who dont feel we should depend on the government and who dont think we should take advantage of real social cases wherein families need to get their children into state or church schools!! and by the way many parents of kids attending church schools take so much advantage that do not even have the decency for double their miserable so called "donation" to the school ,when both parents work and live very lavish lives !!!! Yes the government should help by first of all perhaps decreasing childrens allowance of families who have kids in either state of church because they are actually a burden on the government and incerasing this same allowance for those families with kids in independent schools..... how about that??
J.Mizzi
Mar 9th 2010, 15:02
Does it occur to you that the parents of children in independent schools pay tax which in turns helps subsidise church schools and provide free state schools? So, why do you expect them to pay for other children's education but get scandalised that they expect something for them in return as well?!
T Camilleri
Mar 9th 2010, 15:01
Why should we who send our children to government schools support those people who send their children to private schools? If they can't afford it send them to public schools, otherwise you pay.
Peter Mangion NO way Mr Mangion. Send your children to government schools or you pay for their education.
L.Vella
Mar 9th 2010, 14:52
What if all the students in the private schools were to attend state or church schools? The government would have to build new schools, employ more teachers, buy more books and provide more transport. That would surely cost a lot of money. Parents who send their kids to private school still pay their taxes (if they work) and do not get anything in return as regards the education of their children. Providing some tax benefits is a start.
As to why should taxpayers pay money to fund children in private schools, the same could be said in reverse - why should parents who send their children in private schools pay taxes for children in state schools. I'm a teacher in a secondary state school and send my 3yrsold to a private kindergarten not because I don't have faith in state schools or I'm snobbish or elite but because it was one school that started at 8am where I can take my child and rush to my school which starts at 8:20am. Sending her to a state school would have been impossible as kindergarten state schools start at 8:30 or even 8:45am and have no one to take her.
Vonoise Zahra
Mar 9th 2010, 14:48
It is only fair that independent school parents get assistance with these fees, at least as a tax incentive.
People send children to independent schools because they understand, just like any responsible person, that a child's education is the most important asset not only for the child's life but for society in general. The majority of these 'students' come from a middle class bckground who are higher rate taxpayers and who pay tax on evey penny then earn.
It is only fair that the people, who make up the vast majority of the tax income for government receive something back for the extraordinary amount of taxes they pay. Furthermore, per capita, independent schools charge less than it costs the government to educate, and they make a profit too!!
Goes to show how inefficeint taxes are spent in Malta!
Gerald Fenech
Mar 9th 2010, 14:46
I have nothing personally against independent schools but to me the system smells of the Deep South (US) response to school integration in the late 1960's. And now to top it all, the independent private schools want funds from the government to continue operating a system based on class segregation. Sheer incredulity!
Maria Ellul
Mar 9th 2010, 14:44
Those of us who have decided to pay for our children s education do so not whimfully but becasue we believe that education is not just about sums, alphabets and languages or science but goes far wider into the holistic developement of a child . Yes we might be a minority compared to all the others but the majority of us are making big sacrifices to pay for our children s education. This is not about snobbery or elitism but about parents having rights and choices when it comes to educating a child. Comparisons are odious. Whatever concession the goverment can provide would be most welcome. i look forward to Hon Minister Cristina s reactions to the proposed assistance or concessions shall we say. Vive la difference
Matthew Scicluna
Mar 9th 2010, 14:27
Why should they be given assistance?? Most of these parents are well off compared to others and they still need assistance?? What should other parents do then? There are government schools if they do not want to pay but they cannot expect to be given financial assistance since it is their choice to send their children to private schools. Others who cannot afford to pay certain fees are "forced" to send their children to government schools which is not fair in my humble opinion.
Vanessa Brincat
Mar 9th 2010, 14:14
As far as I recall, the government had already allocated benefits for parents who choose to send their children to independent schools. What further assistance could they possibly need? To be led by the hand?
Given the amount of fees parents pay (imposed by the pleading schools) to send their children to some of the mentioned schools (and I have my reservations as to the kind of education they receive, starting with their Maltese), and given that they seem to wilfully pay them (otherwise they would choose a much less costly school) I don't see why funds which would be better suited for other government projects, be it education or any other flourishing sector should be invested in people who are clearly happily paying. Is that sound investment?
J Farrugia
Mar 9th 2010, 14:10
Why should the state (me and you) subsidise whoever has the luxury of money to build a new independent school and then wants those who want this luxury of educating their children in such independent schools to have it their way as if they are selecting a meal from a national menu? There are good state schools and good private church schools which have always been here for years now. There is choice as much as we want. Those who want it much better, should dig deep into their pockets and pay for the education of their children themselves. No I don't agree that independent schools should exist in Malta. We have far too much snobbery already in private education. And it is futile to unite so that pressure may be exerted on state funds.
Peter Mangion
Mar 9th 2010, 14:04
at a minimum government should refund at least part if not all of what it would cost the goverment to take this 7000 students into state schools..........
Lorraine Vella
Mar 9th 2010, 13:59
jien lill-uliedi nibghathom skejjel tal-gvern, ghax ma naffordjax li nibghathom privat. min ma jaffordjax, jaghmel bhali. after all, l-iskejjel tal-gvern tajbin! mhux sew li issa nibda nhallas taxxa ohra, sabiex haddiehor jibghat l-uliedu fl-iskejjel privati! dak jonqos ukoll!