The Maltese are known to do their utmost to protect our children. Maybe, in comparison to others, at times we over-protect them and even when they grow up into young adults parents take care of their basic needs and studies

The state has been paying children’s allowance and other social services intended for children for many years. Students receive a stipend which makes their studies easier. University students in other countries have to pay to continue their studies and as such either have a rich family to sustain their studies or otherwise need find a job themselves.

But is this enough to protect our children? Or is this only the tip of the iceberg and as such we should do more? These, I believe, are pertinent questions in view of the fact that where education is concerned we are still behind other EU member states and the recent results show that students are not succeeding as much as is desired.

A good percentage of them are not even bothering to sit for an exam. Others are failing. Of course, there are many who succeed, but is it enough especially when one considers that Malta only has human resources to rely on? Are we getting the return that we expect from our investment in education? These are considerations that should be examined thoroughly so we can try to find solutions and different alternatives to have more children succeeding in education. I believe that education is the key and the future for the students, their families and our nation.

Another issue which I believe that as a country we should and must study better is children in care. We have children who for a number of reasons cannot live with their natural family. This can be either for a short period of time or for longer spells. Whatever the case, these deserve the best attention and care. They are our children too and as such great care and attention should be given. We know that a number of Maltese families adopted children from abroad. In the last years there was a positive development when we introduced fostering. Families, some with their own children, opt to foster a child until this same child is ready to return with his natural families. This should be enhanced and an extra effort from the state is required.

However we have children who live in homes run by institutions such as the Church. These institutions have been with us for years. First and foremost we should thank them for the service they gave especially, when the state was completely absent and when fostering was not an option. But the recent events of abuses by clergymen should be an eye opener on the responsibility of the state towards the children. Irrespective of whether these children are under the custody of church homes or not, the responsibility lies with the government. The government should implement measures to protect these children and to make sure that they are safeguarded.

The events that became public recently are a clear sign that the state was absent and that measures are required. The state should also act as the regulator and maybe if this was the case such abuse would have been avoided, while other incidents would come to light and the trauma that these children went through might have been avoided.

So while the media concentrated, maybe rightly so, on what happened in St Joseph Home, now the time is ripe to discuss the role of the government and its departments on the issue of child sexual abuse. For example what standards are these homes expected to have? And is the department concerned doing inspections to oversee that these minimum standards are met?

Finally another issue which should form the backbone of the state’s interest in taking care of children is the long overdue Children’s Act. Until today Malta does not have a law that encompasses children’s rights and obligations. Why is it so when we know that a number of drafts were presented to the minister concerned?

I hope that at least an answer will be given and that we as a nation start protecting our children as we should.

Carmelo Abela MP is Labour main spokesperson for social policy

[email protected]

The Maltese are known to do their utmost to protect our children. Maybe, in comparison to others, at times we over-protect them and even when they grow up into young adults parents take care of their basic needs and studies

The state has been paying children’s allowance and other social services intended for children for many years. Students receive a stipend which makes their studies easier. University students in other countries have to pay to continue their studies and as such either have a rich family to sustain their studies or otherwise need find a job themselves.

But is this enough to protect our children? Or is this only the tip of the iceberg and as such we should do more? These, I believe, are pertinent questions in view of the fact that where education is concerned we are still behind other EU member states and the recent results show that students are not succeeding as much as is desired.

A good percentage of them are not even bothering to sit for an exam. Others are failing. Of course, there are many who succeed, but is it enough especially when one considers that Malta only has human resources to rely on? Are we getting the return that we expect from our investment in education? These are considerations that should be examined thoroughly so we can try to find solutions and different alternatives to have more children succeeding in education. I believe that education is the key and the future for the students, their families and our nation.

Another issue which I believe that as a country we should and must study better is children in care. We have children who for a number of reasons cannot live with their natural family. This can be either for a short period of time or for longer spells. Whatever the case, these deserve the best attention and care. They are our children too and as such great care and attention should be given. We know that a number of Maltese families adopted children from abroad. In the last years there was a positive development when we introduced fostering. Families, some with their own children, opt to foster a child until this same child is ready to return with his natural families. This should be enhanced and an extra effort from the state is required.

However we have children who live in homes run by institutions such as the Church. These institutions have been with us for years. First and foremost we should thank them for the service they gave especially, when the state was completely absent and when fostering was not an option. But the recent events of abuses by clergymen should be an eye opener on the responsibility of the state towards the children. Irrespective of whether these children are under the custody of church homes or not, the responsibility lies with the government. The government should implement measures to protect these children and to make sure that they are safeguarded.

The events that became public recently are a clear sign that the state was absent and that measures are required. The state should also act as the regulator and maybe if this was the case such abuse would have been avoided, while other incidents would come to light and the trauma that these children went through might have been avoided.

So while the media concentrated, maybe rightly so, on what happened in St Joseph Home, now the time is ripe to discuss the role of the government and its departments on the issue of child sexual abuse. For example what standards are these homes expected to have? And is the department concerned doing inspections to oversee that these minimum standards are met?

Finally another issue which should form the backbone of the state’s interest in taking care of children is the long overdue Children’s Act. Until today Malta does not have a law that encompasses children’s rights and obligations. Why is it so when we know that a number of drafts were presented to the minister concerned?

I hope that at least an answer will be given and that we as a nation start protecting our children as we should.

Carmelo Abela MP is Labour main spokesperson for social policy

[email protected]