An influx of foreign workers and their families, mostly from EU countries, has seen the population of state school increase by well over 2,000 after years of decline, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said this morning.

He said at a Labour Party activity that the education authorities were reacting to the country's needs. More students were studying sciences and an increased emphasis was also being made on the second and third languages.

There was also more emphasis on physical education and for the first time, a batch of 20 PE teachers had been engaged in one go.

Mr Bartolo said that 500 students who had not been interested in sitting for 'O' levels had been 'saved' and encouraged to further their education.

Speaking later, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said private schools, like government schools, needed more space for foreign children. The government needed to see how it could help the private sector cater for the education needs of foreigners willing to pay for education.