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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 26 MARCH 2014 News 6 All students should receive some education in the arts, says Bartolo Education minister introduces second phase of tablet programme for pupils TIM ATTARD MONTALTO EDUCATION minister Evarist Bar- tolo said yesterday morning that all students, from a young age, should receive some form of formal educa- tion in the arts. In an attempt to dispel concerns by teachers of art, drama and music – who received Bartolo's initial state- ments this week on integrating the arts subjects with some trepidation – the minister said that his proposal was merely to encourage students towards expressing themselves ar- tistically and culturally. "Whereas in the past students chose whether to do the arts or not, we would like to implement a system whereby all students receive some form of education in artistic expres- sion, even if only during the first three months of secondary school," he said. "I think that the intention is a good one and I think that everyone would agree with this," he said, but stressed that he would be ready to listen to proposals on how this could be im- plemented. Bartolo said that his reasoning was further reinforced during a consult- ative meeting he had this week with secondary schools. "It was interesting that, without me even asking, the students told me that they wished to be given the chance to take part in more than one such subject," he said. The minister was speaking at the launching of the second phase of the 'One tablet per child' project, which will commence in October 2014. Stating that the number of suppli- ers and classes to take part in the pi- lot was "much larger than what had been anticipated", the minister said that the scope of the project was to evaluate the best way to introduce tablets in primary classrooms and "maximise the benefits that the technology brings to teaching and learning". Placing an emphasis on "literacy, numeracy and digital literacy", the project will see classes in Grade 4, as well as some other classes in Grade 3 and Grade 5, in 13 state, three church schools, two independent and three complimentary facilities supplied with electronic tablets. The Wardija Institute will also be included, bringing the total number of classes to 22. Bartolo said that LSAs (Learning Support Assistants) would also be supplied with tablets, so as to in- clude students with special needs in the programme. He said that the tablet programme was an educational initiative and not a technological one. "It's not a case of 'handing out candy' - this nation- al roll-out will keep on taking place into the 2015-16 scholastic years." "From today until September, teachers will be supplied with tab- lets to assess how they can be inte- grated into the curriculum." The minister, whilst admitting that students will be able to take the tablet home, stressed that teachers would be responsible for the means by which the device is used during school hours. Citing the recent Eurobaromoter survey - which showed that no less than 75% of Maltese said that they do not do any form of exercise – Bartolo said that the introduction of the tablet should not serve as an alternative means of leisure. The industry partners are AID Ltd, Computer Domain, Energy In- vestment Ltd, FGL IT Ltd, Google for Education, Infantium-Telefoni- ca, Klikk Computers Ltd, Micro Technology Ltd, Mosta Electronics Centre, Samsung Consortium, SG Solutions Ltd, Smart Technologies, and Vodafone Malta Ltd. The brands that will be used include iPad, Google Nexus, Samsung, Learn- Pad, Acer, Intel, Lenovo, Telefonica, and Haier amongst others. Nine proposals are based on the Android operating system, one on iOS and one on Microsoft Win- dows. Through the scheme, Google and Apple will officially be present in Maltese state schools for the first time. Mental health sufferers need compassion, not online judgement Richmond Foundation: 'Mental illness does not necessarily mean violent or odd behaviour' MATTHEW VELLA MENTAL health charity Richmond Foundation has raised a flag over the negative and pejorative comments on online comment boards and social media, in the wake of the prosecution of a 32-year-old man accused of having used animal carcasses in crucifixions displayed all over Mosta since 2011. The Foundation said it was not refer- ring to any particular case specifically, citing ethical reasons, although it was clear that the statement comes in the aftermath of the public reaction to the apprehending of Nicholas Grech over the mock crucifixions of animal car- casses. "Media sensationalism, including the general public's negative and pe- jorative comments on message boards and social networks, subjects the in- divdual concerned to undue pressure, degrading and inhumane treatment," Richmond spokesperson Holger Sali- ba said. "Sensationalism enhances stigma towards mental illnesses, and this is counterproductive as normally per- sons with mental health problems are reluctant to seek professional help be- cause they fear exclusion and embar- rassment." Saliba said a quarter of the Maltese population experience mental health problems at any point in their lives. While the Foundation denounces any acts of cruelty that inflicted suf- fering on animals, the NGO said it was important to remember that any ac- cused person is innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. "Their in- herent dignity is to be respected even when it is proven that s/he has com- mitted cruel acts or crimes," Saliba said. "We are very concerned about the general public's misconception that persons with mental health prob- lems are likely to be unpredictable and violent towards others, including animals. In reality most persons with mental health problems are not vio- lent or hostile towards others, enjoy the company of animals, treat ani- mals well and such relationship is also therapeutic for the same persons. At times, animals could be the only liv- ing creatures with a 'non-judgmental attitude' towards persons with mental illnesses." Police who apprehended Grech, at his parents' house in Mosta, say the Enemalta engineer had two pet cats at home. Schembri is suspected of having collected animal carcasses and crucifying them, carrying out the mock crucifixions and hanging the bodies on religious monuments in Mosta since 2011. He is being accused of vilification of religion by the police. "In extreme cases, which normally draw media's attention and spur sen- sationalism, persons may not be in their full mental capacity due to men- tal illness and thus commit odd or bi- zarre acts," Saliba said. "In any case, ill persons need treatment, support and compassion." Ongoing reform halts appointment of anti-corruption watchdog members MIRIAM DALLI AN ongoing reform of the Permanent Commission Against Corruption has halted the appointment or reappointment of mem- bers sitting on the Perma- nent Commission Against Corruption. MaltaToday is informed that the commission members' term came to an end in November 2013 but received no official com- munication as to whether their term had been re- newed or whether new members will be appointed. This newspaper has since learnt that an ongoing overhaul of the commis- sion is the reason behind this delay. Set up in 1998, the Permanent Commission has been flagged as "unsuccessful" by the justice reform commission led by judge emeritus Giovanni Bonello. In its report, Bonello's commission points out that despite having inves- tigated 425 cases, the police never ar- raigned anyone based on the PCAC's outcome. Based on Proposal 295 of the 450 tabled by the justice reform commis- sion, it was suggested that the PCAC's functions should be passed over to a general prosecutor. This entity would be independent to the other institu- tions, enjoying the necessary consti- tutional safeguards to operate indi- vidually. The Bonello commission points out that this would also provide the PCAC with an investigation division within a prosecutor's office, some- thing that the PCAC never had to as- sist it in its work. If the inquiring magistrate were appointed, the PCAC would most likely fall under this entity given the stronger power and investigating tools held by a magistrate as opposed to a prosecutor. Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Owen Bonnici has already expressed his opinion in favour of appointing an inquiring magistrate – an ap- pointment deemed to be based on the introduction of European best practice. Evarist Bartolo Owen Bonnici (left) and Giovanni Bonello Nicholas Grech