Transport Minister Joe Mizzi yesterday told The Malta Independent that the idea of alleviating traffic gridlock by changing school hours to open an hour earlier is “just a proposal at this stage” and that any decisions will only be taken after proper consultation with all those involved.
The traffic situation has not let up at all of late with constant gridlock, even during the sleepy month of August. There are currently a two major projects in motion, including flood relief works on the Birkirkara bypass and the reconstruction of the Coast Road – which incidentally is now in its final phase. Once the latter is completed, works are set to begin on the Kappara junction flyover and the Marsa flyover. The constant traffic led the government to propose making schools open one hour earlier. However, in the 14-page White Paper document, only one reference is made to banning rubbish collection or commercial deliveries during peak hour traffic.
In the wake of criticism from virtually all quarters, Mr Mizzi said the idea of making schools open an hour earlier was proposed through a white paper, meaning it is a suggestion. He continued by saying that decisions shall be taken after comprehensive feedback is given and relevant consultation takes place. Mr Mizzi also added that education is of the utmost importance to this administration.
The MUT said that it was greatly disappointed at the government’s suggestion to open schools an hour earlier. The MUT highlighted that state schools are already receiving students an hour before schools start lessons. It was also highlighted that congestion did not ease up in the summer months, despite schools being closed for summer recess.
The Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM) also opposed the proposed for earlier school ours, stating that it is reasonable to think that school hours do make a relative impact on congestion, however the continuation of this in the summer months proves there are wider and more prevalent issues at hand. Both the MUT and SDM highlighted other factors that contribute to Malta’s traffic problems, and asked if anything is being done about them.
Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, told sections of the media that the intention is not to have classes start earlier, and therefore have children wake up earlier. The idea behind the proposal, he said, was for schools to open earlier, but that does not translate into classes starting earlier. He later said in a press conference that the transport problem will not be solved by making changes in a single sector, and that the problem has been ongoing for a number of years.