A total of 400 students from all schools across Malta and Gozo will on Saturday take part in a consultation process on the selection of the new Children Commissioner.

The event will be held at Maria Regina Boys Secondary in Taz-Zokrija, Mosta.

Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louis Coleiro Preca said this morning the students would be given an opportunity to take part in a democratic process which directly affected their lives.

They would be split into three age groups -nine to 12, 13 to 15, and 16 to 17. A series of 25 workshops would be carried out and administered by PSD teachers.

This would allow for the processing of all the ideas brought forward by the children which would then be included in a document to be presented to the Prime Minister on December 4.

Asked for details on the Children’s Act, which is to be enacted by the end of next year, Ms Coleiro Preca said the government was scrutinising all the gaps to ensure children’s rights.

The National Commission on Children’s Rights was currently split into six working groups tackling issues such as cyber bullying, child pornography and child participation in democratic processes.

“It’s a tall order but this needs to be done. We believe that are not only the future but the present too,” Ms Coleiro Preca said.