More than 17,000 students will start off their scholastic year in one of the church schools in Malta and Gozo. 2,153 of these will be attending Church schools for the first time.

According to a statement issued by the Curia, more than 1,000 students will start their year at a Church-run kindergarten, 7,840 at primary schools, 7,500 at secondary schools and almost 800 to start their Sixth Forms.

Teachers and Learning Support Assistants started their scholastic year slightly earlier. Some 2,300 teachers, LSAs and Kindergarten Assistants work in one of the various Church Schools.

While addressing those who work in Church schools, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said that the Church holds education very close to its heart, as education helps children grow in their dignity.

Quoting a speech by Pope Francis, the Archbishop said that teachers are benefactors of humanity, as they teach the ideal of life.