I refer to the Leader It’s not only a matter of money (TMI, 14 August). This piece contains a number of inaccuracies and baseless rash statements which merit correction and clarification.

From the outset it should be made clear that Feltom represents 16 out of the 38 EFL schools licensed by the Education Ministry. Membership of the Federation is through an accreditation process which includes rigorous inspection to ensure that member schools meet Feltom’s quality standards. The part of the section of Feltom’s Accreditation Scheme dealing with host family accommodation requires that schools visit families at least once every two years to ensure that standards are being maintained.

In practice most of our schools are in frequent contact with families throughout the year to offer support and advice. Some of our member schools hold special events, such as pre-Christmas drinks, and training courses for their host families. Some of our schools also provide a manual for host families to help them deliver the required level of service. Feltom schools insist on using the services of families who can offer quality care and accommodation to their guests.

Hosting students is not just about making some extra money; it is about delivering a service. Many registered host families do this admirably. Malta Tourism Authority licences for host families allow families to host up to a maximum of four students. Families are expected to fulfil all the provisions outlined in Legal Notice 130 of 2002 which governs the licensing of host families as well as other requirements stipulated in the contracts host families sign with schools.

Feltom schools cannot work with families who do not abide by these conditions and will not hesitate to report families hosting more than the maximum number of students allowed to the quality standards unit of the Malta Tourism Authority.

No reference was given to the source of the complaints your leader refers to; perhaps it was some of these disaffected families who expect schools to turn a blind eye. Schools are aware of instances where families set up dormitories hosting up to eight and 10 students at a time in the basement of their house. This is unacceptable to Feltom member schools. Thus it may be the enforcement of standards which has caused some families to decide that hosting

students is no longer sustainable.

Your editorial states that schools shirk all responsibility when students are involved in mishaps – this statement is a gross generalisation which our members reject. Comments from several of our member schools indicate otherwise. It is recommended that host families take out an insurance policy to cover any eventuality; however students are expected to pay for breakages or damage for which they are responsible. Most of our members ask that families report such occurrences before a student leaves if they wish a school to intervene. In the majority of cases the intervention of schools is not necessary as students do pay for damage to property. Where incidents are more serious, schools contact the agents or parents of the student concerned.

Overall the majority of our member schools have a very good working relationship with their host families and with many continuing to work with the same school for a number of years. The market is demanding less host family accommodation so there is a natural selection process. It is often our member schools that decide not to continue using the services provided by some families. Feltom member schools have no difficulty in maintaining their excellent relationship with families providing a quality service.

Isabelle Pace Warrington

Executive Officer

Feltom

Editorial note: The leader in question was based on comments Ms Pace Warrington had given to this newspaper a few days earlier. In the report published on 11 August, it was stated that the number of host families had fallen by 22 per cent in just one year. The reasons for this decline given by Ms Pace Warrington were the recession, the increase in the utility rates and the strength of the euro against the British sterling.

The scope of the editorial was to highlight the other reasons which led host families to decide not to renew their licence, reasons that Ms Pace Warrington conveniently ignored in her comments to this newspaper. What the leader pointed out was that schools should take up more responsibility, and should offer more assistance to host families which, yes, are providing a service but, as every service provider seeks, want to do so with as little trouble as possible and with the maximum financial benefit possible.

Feltom chooses to continue to ignore the fact that its members are partly to blame for the decline in the number of host families – which has been taking place for the last three years. It has every right to do so, but playing the ostrich game will only serve to make things worse.