Proposals for after-school services have been on the agenda as early as pre-accession years, a time when the National Council of Women was handling the gender equality aspects in the consultation process of the acquis negotiations. Although for a time this issue was put on the back burner, the need to provide policy to implement an adequate system cannot be postponed any longer.
The NCW understands the importance of the increased support of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry on this issue because the business sector faces global challenges, the demographic deficit and pensions reform and the challenges of the Single Market. The pressure on employers to introduce more innovative flexible workplace measures also needs to be faced.
In the circumstances, what support is the business community in a position to offer?
It is of utmost importance that any measures proposed form part of a wider action plan that includes, among others, addressing the heavy curriculum content, the homework load and “projects” both children and adolescents have to cope as part of the system in place. This not only requires the support of parents but also their direct involvement. Children today have more commitments outside school hours. Private lessons at all ages are still traditionally a priority for parents, whether really necessary or not.
Throughout the years and, more so, recently, opportunities for school children and adolescents to develop their talents and personalities have increased. We have seen public and private educational institutions mushrooming all over the island offering drama, music, dancing, singing, arts and sports opportunities that definitely go beyond the classroom “learning” experience. Parents have quickly responded and, not without sacrifice, have done their utmost to ensure their children can make use of these facilities, very often against payment, in the belief their offspring can be better prepared to face life today – a better quality of life.
The need to address after-school services was also raised by the Minister of Finance in the Budget 2011, by constituted bodies and other organisations.Therefore, it requires some clarification. Are the proposals made aimed at the compulsory extension of formal school hours with added extra-curricular activities or are we proposing after-school services on a voluntary basis geared towards addressing the needs of our children? Will the measures apply to all state, private and Church schools? Have pilot projects on after-school services provided any concrete indicators on policy and implementation? Has the need for trained professionals in the different fields been considered? What is the position of teachers and their representative unions? What are the views of parents? Will the system be available for working mothers only? Will parents who wish to have a choice on how best to educate their children or who are able and want to be part of the education of their children be given an option? If parents decide not to let their children join the new system will such children be disadvantaged as far as education goes?
These and other issues have to be considered. For the past years, through the annual Budget consultation process, the NCW has been making proposals for measures on after-school services matching the working hours of both parents. This apart from other gender equality and family-friendly proposals, measures that address the needs of different age groups through extra-curricular activities including also support for different learning needs and adequate help in homework where necessary, among others.
In recent years, the transport system for school children has also raised the issue of the need for the provision of services before official school hours for those students who arrive early at school.
The interests of the child should be paramount in any educational reform. The increased participation of women in paid employment is a priority for the NCW. However, relevant measures need to be carefully planned and implemented and definitely not at the expense of children’s development. In this manner, the government can be better equipped to provide the necessary human and financial resources for effective implementation.
The NCW believes that whatever polices are adopted they should be the result of the findings of an economic and social impact assessment not least to provide indicators on whether the system should be compulsory or voluntary. There is need to explore public-private partnerships with the private sector working in related services. Above all, we need to ensure we are not increasing the workload of our children within the limited time of 24 hours, thus further reducing the space for our children to enjoy family life and free uninhibited leisure so necessary for quality childhood.
The author is president of the National Council of Women.