I refer to the interesting article by Lino Bugeja entitled ‘Elementary education in Malta during the early British period’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, January 25).

According to E. B. Vella’s book L-Istorja ta’ Ħal Tarxien u Raħal Ġdid, the first elementary school in Tarxien was opened under director of education Mgr P. P. Pullicino in 1859. The first elementary school for boys was opened on March 10, 1859. The head teacher was Benedetto Borg and the school consisted only of one class of 63 boys.

Later, on April 11, 1859, a school for girls was opened under the headship of Miss Cannataci. The number of girls amounted to 83. This school consisted of one class. These schools were housed in two different large buildings found in Tarxien.

The Keenan Report of 1878 showed that the classes at the Tarxien schools were up to Standard IV.

That same report recommended the teaching of English also in the elementary stages and even up to a point to teach ‘English and English only’.

In 1889, two schools, one at Tarxien and the other at Rabat, were set up for the sole purpose of teaching English.

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