Primary schoolchildren at St. Elmo’s school in Valletta will soon be benefitting from the use of tablets in school, PN MP Claudio Grech said today during a press conference. 

The Save a Life Foundation, run by Dr Grech, is funding the conversion of a room at the school into a virtual classroom. 

He said the aim is to put the fun factor back into education through the use of technology.

“We are undertaking this initiative because we believe that targeting schoolchildren at this age will give them the necessary life skills and digital skills which will serve them well as adults,” Dr Grech said.

The MP said that he wants to reverse the negative social trend in Valletta, and he feels a particular affinity with St.Elmo’s school having grown up a stone’s throw away.

Asked if the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) is onboard with this initiative, Micheline Scibberas, the Director General of Education, said that agreement exists “in principle,” and further discussion on an e-learning platform are underway.  

Dr Grech said that the choice of methodology when using the tablets will be down to the individual teacher. 

The Head of School Mr Bernard Riolo explained how the project will contribute towards providing the children with a state-of-the-art environment, ultimately enhancing their educational engagement. Mr Riolo added, that “this class will keep helping our efforts to increase the literacy levels amongst our students in our school."