Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Stefan Buontempo today visited the Żabbar Local Council where he spoke to the parents of children who will be following a course in IT entitled Ikids during summer, which course is organised through a collaboration between the government and TCTC.

“Local councils should be the centres which offer residents the opportunity to improve their skills; this is what I mean when I state that councils should be close to the people,” said Dr Buontempo. He added that, “the government is working so as all Maltese of all ages would be able to use the internet and benefit from government online services.”

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo said it would not make sense for Malta to be the best European country in online services with its citizens not being able to make use of such services. “On being able to use these services, citizens will benefit from services which are more efficient and effective and will be able to make use of such services at home, thus save time on queuing; this will help Malta continue to overcome the digital divide.”

Dr Buontempo said the Ikids course will be given for free and is tailor-made for children  between the ages of five and ten years and will be divided into three age groups.

The course will be held in 65 local councils in Malta and Gozo and 3,000 children have applied thus far. It shall be held on a weekly basis in two-hour sessions over the next five weeks and will end in August.

Dr Buontempo explained that, “the course is being held in collaboration between TCTC and the government and is designed so that our childredn will have fun learning.”

While encouraging children to take part in similar activities organised by local councils, Dr Buontempo congratulated parents for acknowledging the importance of such training for the good of their children