Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said this evening that Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) should follow a course and be issued with a warrant before they start working in classrooms.

Replying to questions by Nationalist MP George Pullicino, the minister said it was not right that people first started working and then followed the LSA course.

He was also of the view that occupational standards should be set.

Questioned further by Labour MP Silvio Schembri and Nationalist MP Mario Galea on the pressures he faced by many parents wanting LSAs for their children, Mr Bartolo said that having an LSA should not be a goal in itself.

Rather, it should be the beginning of a process  to help children with difficulties develop their independence and self-reliance.

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