Learning support assistants could not be provided for the Klabb 3-16 government summer school because the previous Administration did not budget any funds for the €70,000 service, the Education Ministry has said.

Government’s commitment to education should not be limited to nine months

Parents of children who needed an LSA complained to the education authorities that such assist-ants were never available during the Klabb 3-16 summer school.

The education authorities looked into the matter. It was estimated that providing basic LSA – including on a one-to-one basis – would cost €70,000 for the summer school alone, a ministry spokesman said.

Providing the service during the Klabb 3-16 after-school winter service would cost a further €200,000, he added.

Times of Malta last week quoted Paul and Katya Cachia, the parents of a three-year-old autistic boy, saying they were worried he would regress over the holidays as the Klabb 3-16 summer school did not offer the services of LSAs.

During the scholastic year, their son made “remarkable progress” attending kindergarten with an LSA. It was essential for him to keep mingling with other children in the summer months. But they would not be able to send him to summer school without an LSA and they were worried all the progress achieved would be lost.

“His weakness is social inter-action with people outside his family circle and that’s why attending school even in summer is crucial. Going to school is part of his therapy,” the parents told Times of Malta.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a condition resulting from a neurological affliction that has an effect on normal brain function. It affects development of the person’s communication and social interaction skills.

The parents said that last year they were informed that LSAs would be provided during the summer school, but they were recently told this was not possible.

The Cachias said they appreciated all that the Government did in supporting children like their son. However, they felt its commitment towards social inclusion in education should not be limited to the nine months of the scholastic year.

The Education Ministry spokesman said he had spoken to the parents and explained to them that, while they were completely justified in their request, there were financial constraints.

The spokesman said that providing basic LSA presence for Klabb 3-1 meant a recurring expense of €270,000 each year. The Foundation for Educational Services, he said, had informed him that it had never promised introducing LSAs.

He said the ministry was aware that there was a problem and was looking into it.