Maltese use predominant in state schools, English in non-state ones

Kindergarten teachers in state schools devote more time to Maltese than their counterparts in non-state schools, a study has revealed.

Published on Tuesday afternoon, a study by the National Literacy Agency found that while teachers in state schools devoted just over 64% of the time to Maltese, the figure went down to 35.9% for English. Meanwhile, in Church schools, the figure for English soared to 60.8% while going down to just over 39% for Maltese.

On independent schools, the teachers who participated in the study were found to use English “exclusively”.

“Maltese was introduced as a foreign language and 15-minute sessions were held three times a week by the teacher of Maltese. Gifted children follow a third-language programme,” the researchers noted.

Teachers in central state schools and south-eastern state schools, the researchers noted, aimed to promote both Maltese and English and they dedicated roughly an equal amount to both languages.

On the alphabet, this was presented in English in Church and independent schools while students in state kindergartens were taught the Maltese version. Certain topics, namely those involving mathematics and numbers, were taught in English...