As schools opened their doors to nearly 60,000 children, no major traffic was reported on Wednesday except by commuters in parts of Għargħur and Birkirkara.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo yesterday attended the opening day of the new scholastic year at St Catherine’s High School.

While most drivers did not encounter congested roads in the morning hours, some found themselves caught up in still or slow-moving traffic on Tal-Balal Road in Għargħur and Valley and Naxxar roads in Birkirkara.

Several were bracing themselves as tens of thousands of children this week returned to State, church and independent schools. Some 800 students from Church and independent schools were still on the waiting list for transport as part of a scheme that will see the government funding the service for all students.

In all, 59,221 students returned to school, including 8,731 who were signed up for kindergarten classes and 3,691 post-secondary pupils. Some 25,860 and another 20,939 started their primary and secondary school education respectively.

New academic year has also seen 10,366 educators returning to schools

The new academic year has also seen 10,366 educators returning to schools, 3,528 of whom are Learning Support Assistants, and another 709 kindergarten assistants. The Education Ministry noted that following the signing of a new sectoral agreement for all grades at the beginning of this year, new curricula will be introduced for kindergarten level one, year three and year seven students

New curricula for other levels will be rolled-out over a four-year period.

Read: Church, private schools fear transport chaos

Assessment will be strengthened throughout the year, while mid-year exams for those in classes between year four and eight will be stopped. Mid-year assessments will also eventually be halted for those in years nine to 11.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the introduction of more vocational and applied subjects in September of 2019, work has kicked off on 77 EU-funded workshops in secondary schools across the islands.

In a statement, the Education Ministry said work on a new childcare centre and primary school in Marsascala will soon be completed while ongoing work on a new school in Qawra is expected to be completed between 2019 and 2020.