Dr Galea said that some 8,400 adults had participated in the latest scheme, a number that needed to increase by eight per cent until 2006.

In all, 276 adults took part in courses organised at the Msida centre, organised by the Adult Education Department.

The highest number of participants followed

courses in Maltese, English, Italian, French, German, maths and social studies.

Those who so wished, were able to sit for Matsec exams and, in fact, 54 of the students did. Apart from the subjects mentioned above, the scheme also included arts, music, drama, IT and craft.