Private schools will receive €3 million in government grants, spread over three years, for staff training, sports and technological upgrading.

Announced in the Budget last November, the scheme was officially launched this week and can be used by private schools that carried out upgrading projects since last January 1.

The grants amount to the equivalent of €95 for each child in kindergarten, €145 for children in primary school and €170 for those in secondary, including Form 5 students, Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said during a recent visit to St Michael’s College, Swatar.

The Government will continue to give tax rebates to about 4,400 parents ranging from €1,300 to €2,300 per student.

Ms Cristina said independent and Church schools had worked hand in hand and collaborated in the education reforms including the national curriculum and benchmarking system.

Through independent schools, the Government was strengthening parents’ right to choose where to send their children, she said.