In what will undoubtedly be welcome news for the beleaguered residents of areas frequented by English language students, the authorities and representatives of the private sector are working on a set of new rules in a bid to better regulate students’ behaviour.

Among a raft of proposals is the stationing of security guards at hotels hosting both language students and the more traditional tourist, with the bill of such services being footed by the language school.

Such hotels may also be required to provide segregated dining areas and quarters.

Another measure on the table would see a higher age requirement to be eligible for employment as a group leader responsible for students’ extracurricular activities.

The Malta Tourism Authority is leading the initiative and is holding a series of meetings with English language teaching associations. A committee, representing the authorities and the private sector, is in the making and will oversee the formulation of a plan for next year’s summer season.

English language learning is an important fixture in Malta’s present and future tourism development plans but the authorities also acknowledge that the sector needs to be better controlled.

The practice of unruly students sharing hotels with more traditional tourists has proved to be a serious problem, leading to sleepless nights, innumerable disturbances and a detrimental word of mouth factor on the part of returning tourists.

But the residents of areas such as Paceville, Swieqi, St Julian’s and Sliema have been besieged this summer by rowdiness and vandalism and complaints appear to have reached a new peak this year. Common complaints include drunken shouting, fighting and singing persisting until the early hours of the morning. And when residents wake up, they do so to the sight of vomit and urine staining their driveways and porches or vandalised cars.

Paceville, perhaps with the involvement of other authorities will also be more controlled. A recent crackdown on bottle shops selling to minors has proved effective, although MTA officers, enforcing the new rules recently, were assaulted by the shop’s personnel while carrying out their duties.