The schools have reopened for the scholastic year and, as expected, traffic issues were reported in the most notorious roads.

The opening of the Kappara fly-over did ease the traffic flow in the areas concerned but other bottlenecks were reported in Marsa, Msida and Birkirkara.

More than 56,000 students and 9,600 educators are back in government, independent and Church institutions.

The number of students attending kindergarten classes is 9,382; there are then 26,173 students in primary schools and 20,802 in secondary schools.

As students and parents gear up for the new scholastic year, the problems or challenges that arise on the first week back to school reappear.

This morning at Pembroke Primary school, children along with their parents eagerly waited for the school doors to open, for their first day back.

It was clear that the biggest challenge for many children starting school again was those early mornings, as one child said her biggest challenge was “getting up early”.

Another mother told this newsroom that the first day of school meant carrying a lot bags and books but also meant the “back to school traffic which was not as bad as I thought it would be but we set off pretty early just in case”.

Another woman dropping her grandchildren off for their first day back said the most challenging aspect is the excitement of the children “who are really jumpy and excitable” on the first day. Not to mention all the shopping and preparation, she added, “but overall I think it’s a lovely time because children do get a little bored towards to the end of summer and they miss the friends, so it'slovely for them to be united again,” she explained.

Video Baskal Mallia