More than 3,000 students do not sit for religion classes across all the schools in Malta and Gozo.

Information which was tabled in parliament during this afternoon session reveals how some 3,160 students who attend private, church and government schools both in primary and secondary, choose to not sit for religion class. The information was tabled in parliament following a question by Nationalist MP Ryan Callus addressed to Education and Employment Minister Evarist Bartolo.

The list shows that five students across the primary church schools do not attend religion, four students do not attend this subject in church secondary schools. 

More than 500 students in primary independent schools do not attend religion. Similarly, 409 in independent secondary schools do the same.

The number of students who do not sit for religion in government schools increases drastically to 2,241 across the various colleges in Malta and Gozo. Maria Regina Collage has the highest number of students who do not sit for religion with 727. The government school in Saint Paul's Bay tops the list with 334.

Santa Klara Collage has 580 students who do not take classes in this subject.