Children policy not drawn up in isolation

With reference to the article Child Protection Agencies ‘Need To Have An Overseer’ (January 28), the Working Group of the National Children’s Policy would like to add some comments.

While welcoming the feedback received from the Church’s environment commission, it is to be clarified that the working group does not agree that the Children’s Policy “missed the opportunity for holistic development by failing to embrace proposals in the draft national curriculum framework”.

As the draft National Children’s Policy itself outlines, it should not be viewed in isolation from other policies, and this includes the curriculum framework as the main policy document in the education sector. Indeed, both policies are still in their draft stages and consultation on both is ongoing.

The draft National Children’s Policy (knowingly) outlined principles which are also found in the curriculum framework, as should be done in two national policies which are of utmost importance to the sustainability of society and the well-being of its citizens.

Moreover, the draft children’s policy was criticised by the Commission for highlighting only the play aspect of out-of-class activities during formal education. Yet, it is worth noting that throughout the policy, an emphasis is placed

on the benefits derived from such activities that give space to the flourishing of the creativity and the development of the child.

The draft National Children’s Policy also highlighted issues which are not found in the curriculum framework mainly because the children’s policy is wider in scope, in that it does not focus solely on education.

It is to be further acknowledged that the draft National Children’s Policy, in its aim to ensure effective synergy with other policies, specifically mentions and builds on other national policies. These include among others the National Youth Policy and the National Cultural Policy.

The children’s policy working group thanks the Church’s environment commission for the recommendations made on various other themes found in the policy, and for viewing the draft National Children’s Policy as “a breath of fresh air”. The recommendations made are being duly considered in the final version of the National Children’s Policy.

In conclusion, the working group would like to reiterate its appreciation for any other feedback received and further welcomes stakeholders’ contributions to such an important policy for Maltese society. Anyone wishing to send feedback can do so on info.meef@gov.mt.