The Labour Party is proposing to introduce a transition year for schoolchildren between kindergarten and the first year of Primary school, Dr Alfred Sant has said.

Dr Sant told a delegation from the General Workers’ Union that he was very concerned about the level of illiteracy in Malta, and the idea behind the transition year was to give children the chance to learn how to read and write.

This system would only apply to those who have not already started Primary school.

The Party quoted GWU secretary general Tony Zarb as saying that the MLP’s plan for the educational sector contained clear ideas and reflects how important education is to the party.