The Nationalist Party has said that it is “unacceptable” that another scholastic year has started, yet the significant shortage in Learning Support Educators has not been resolved.

“As the new school year begins, we are once again facing the same problems experienced in previous years, creating unnecessary uncertainty for students and parents. This is the result of a lack of planning by Robert Abela’s Government, which has failed to come up with the necessary solutions,” the PN said in a statement on Monday.

It said that the situation concerning Learning Support Educators (LSEs) in schools across Malta and Gozo, where it is evident that, once again, problems remain unresolved even as schools reopen after the summer holidays, is a clear example of this.

“Students who require assistance should not be left without the support they need to attend school and participate fully in their education. Despite the promises that have been made, there are still families waiting for answers and children who need the necessary support in order to enjoy the same educational opportunities as their peers,” the PN said.

The PN noted that while the Government is saying that the number of LSEs will increase in the coming days, it is unacceptable that a shortage of LSEs at the beginning of the school year is once again causing stress for many families, with parents being informed that there are not enough Learning Support Educators to meet demand.

“Inclusion means ensuring that every child receives an education with the necessary support so that no one is left behind,” the party said.

“This is also a complete failure of planning. Abela’s Government had an entire summer to ensure that this situation would not arise at the start of the new school year. Families and parents are paying the price for this lack of planning, with some being forced to miss work because, in certain cases, their children are unable to attend school,” the PN continued.

The party said that it is unacceptable that Robert Abela’s Government – which, according to the latest NSO figures, has now increased public debt to a new record of €12 billion – “appears able to find money for everything, yet cannot secure sufficient funding to ensure an adequate number of LSEs in schools. This is despite repeated promises that the problem would be resolved.”

“In 2022, the Labour Party promised a new framework that would enable the recruitment of more LSEs, with better conditions and more specialised training. Labour’s Electoral Manifesto also promised the introduction of LSEs in childcare centres,” the PN said.

Meanwhile, in its most recent Electoral Manifesto for the last general election, under the chapter entitled “Inclusive Education”, pledge number 41 stated that educators would be provided with training and refresher courses on inclusion in education. Learning Support Educators (LSEs) were also to be given the opportunity to specialise in supporting children with autism, ADHD and dyslexia, among other neurodivergent conditions.

“Today, the question is clear: what has become of these promises, and what is being done to ensure that every child receives the support they need? There is little point in promising LSEs opportunities to specialise, or better conditions, when there are not even enough LSEs to meet demand,” the PN pointed out.

“Robert Abela and his Government must account for what has been implemented, what remains outstanding, and when the shortcomings affecting children and their families will be addressed,” it said.

The PN called on the Government to explain clearly what concrete steps it will take to address this problem and within what timeframe these measures will be implemented.

The statement was signed by PN MPs Graziella Galea, Jerome Caruana Cilia, Ivan Bartolo, and Norma Camilleri who are the party’s Shadow Minister for Inclusion, Shadow Minister for Education and Citizenship, Shadow Minister for Social Policy, the Family and Social Housing, and Spokesperson for Family and Children’s Policy respectively.

The number of LSEs has more than doubled since 2012 – PL

In a statement issued in reaction, the Labour Party wished all educators a successful new scholastic year and said that it “chooses positivity and constructive action over the negativity of those who, when entrusted with the country’s leadership, repeatedly chose to cut back on educators.”

The Nationalist Party’s latest statement on Learning Support Educators (LSEs), the PL said, bears no resemblance to the facts. Its claim that the Government is unable to find the funds to employ LSEs is simply false, the PL said.

“As the Ministry for Education and Sport has already made clear, the recruitment call for LSEs remains open throughout the year. This allows the Government to continue recruiting and strengthening this essential resource within the education sector,” the PL said.

“Dozens of new LSEs will join the Government’s workforce during this scholastic year, with everyone who successfully completed the recruitment process having been offered employment. At the same time, educators today benefit from better conditions than ever before,” it added.

“The facts also speak for themselves. Malta’s education system now has the highest number of LSEs and SLEs ever recorded, with 3,422 compared with 1,695 in 2012,” it continued.

In other words, the PL said, the number of LSEs and SLEs has more than doubled since 2012. “This is clear evidence of the sustained investment being made in the educational sector.”