Over the years the number of summer schools that are organised all over Malta have increased. They did so as year after year more parents found it necessary, for different reasons, to send their children to such schools where they spend their summer mornings having fun with their peers.
Summer schools are different from the winter schools. Although in some of them children spend a few hours per week revising what they had done during the previous scholastic year and preparing themselves for the next, many schools use up all the mornings for what are normally known as extra-curricular activities.
Unfortunately, little time is found for drama, sport, dance, craft and music during the normal academic year, and therefore it is good that children are exposed more to such activities. The Malta Independent has always insisted that education should be complete – that is, not only academic – and summer schools do provide such openings for the younger generations. We take the opportunity again to call for more “fun” activities during winter school too so as to give children a more comprehensive education.
What is positive about summer schools is that the different schools offer different services, giving parents the chance to pick and choose the right school for their children. If, for example, a boy enjoys sport he can be taken to those summer schools which give him the chance to experience sport activities, some of which would be new to him. If, on the other hand, a girl prefers craft then she can go to a school which specialises in this area.
The fact that such schools have mushroomed and are available practically in every town or village makes them all the more accessible, although many parents are prepared to pay extra for transport or take their children to school themselves if it is not close to home.
On the whole, such schools provide a safe and healthy environment for the youngsters, far away from the summer morning heat and in the company of children their own age. Many are the children who look forward to summer school because they know they will enjoy themselves.
As said before, there are various reasons why parents choose to send their children to summer schools. Some do so because these days children have little space for recreational activities outdoors and, even if there were, it would be sheer madness to allow children to play under the scorching sun.
Others do so because otherwise their kids would be spending their mornings on the computer, watching television or playing video games before perhaps going for a swim in the afternoon. Nothing wrong with any of these activities, but parents argue that it is better for their children to be amusing themselves doing different activities and some physical exercise in summer schools rather than sitting in front of a monitor.
Another reason – and this perhaps wraps them all up – is that many mothers work (at least a part-time job in the morning) and have no one to leave their children with. Many in fact would prefer that summer schools started right after the end of the winter school, rather than one or two weeks later, and end just before winter school resumes.
The popularity – and need – for summer schools can also be seen from the fact that the age-groups for which they open have widened over the past years. Previously, only primary school and early secondary school children were accepted, but more recently, children as young as two or as old as 14 can participate.
It is hoped that the existing summer schools maintain the good standards they have reached – and continue improving upon them. Children – and parents – need them.