Students in 22 schools were given a free tablet as a teaching aid. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Fears that electronic tablets were not rugged enough to be handled by primary schoolchildren were unfounded, as very few devices were damaged in a pilot project involving 300 students.

The exercise was carried out last year across 22 schools, when students in selected classes were given a free tablet as a teaching aid. The aim was to evaluate its pedagogical impact in preparation for the implementation of the ‘One tablet per child’ programme, starting in October of next year, when all Year 4 students will be given a free tablet

The main findings of the pilot project were outlined yesterday when Education Minister Evarist Bartolo visited the Żabbar Primary A School.

The event served to showcase a number of tablet applications in Maltese being developed by the Education Department. One such application, called Żaqqinu jagħżel x’jiekol can be downloaded for free for both Apple and Android tablets

E-learning director Emanuel Zammit said teachers were initially apprehensive that tablets might be perceived as video games and fuel disruption in class. However, such concerns proved unfounded, as the feedback from teachers was very positive, especially in the case of children with learning difficulties.

Feedback from teachers was very positive, especially in the case of children with learning difficulties

He said tablets proved to be a very effective tool to adapt the style of teaching to different situations and focus on particular aspects.

Mr Zammit said teachers would receive their tablet in June to familiarise themselves with it by the start of the next scholastic year.

A call would soon be issued by the Education Ministry to select the supplier.