Marija is Prime Minister for day

The government yesterday mulled the introduction of courses in parenting skills on the suggestion of a mother of three who experienced being Prime Minister for a Day and joined high-level discussions on the subject at Castille.

Marija Hammet, 37, of Żabbar, who won the Be Prime Minister for a Day contest, organised by the Nationalist Party, shadowed the PN leader during what turned out to be a challenging 24 hours for the government after Malta’s EU envoy, Richard Cachia Caruana, was forced to resign following a vote in Parliament.

But it seemed to be business as usual for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, whom she accompanied in his regular meetings with ministers.

Ms Hammet runs two childcare centres and the proposal she would have wanted to implement as the country’s leader was chosen from among 2,000 others.

Her idea to introduce compulsory parenting skills for couples before their children are born could materialise through financing from the government’s NGO fund and the EU, said Family Minister Chris Said during his regular meeting with Dr Gonzi.

Is Marija Hammet still convinced she would want to take over the role of Prime Minister after stepping into Lawrence Gonzi’s shoes for a day? Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Dr Said added that he had been approached by a number of NGOs that wanted to offer the service.

The Prime Minister high-lighted that parents could not be forced to follow the course and needed to be encouraged. He feared it would be hard to persuade those most in need but linking the courses to social benefits, as was the case in France, was mentioned.

The way forward was possibly through doctors, local councils, schools and other sources that had direct contact with parents-to-be. The courses would have to be widespread, accessible and interesting.

It was agreed that the service providers had to be professional and prepared. Just as kindergarten staff needed to be qualified, so too did parents need a qualification to bring up their children, Ms Hammet maintained.

Ms Hammett said it was a “fantastic day”, which would never be erased from her memory.