Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/731331
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2016 News 3 In December, the following phase of the project will kick-start through the roll-out of the tablet device to year 4 students. Over the coming scholastic year, the plans for the implementation of the Learning Outcomes Frame- work in all schools will be finalized and resources will be provided in order to provide more personal- ized learning for all students. Plans are being set for the in- troduction of a Foreign Language Awareness Programme together with a Science programme in the '3-16' after-school activities organ- ized by the Foundation for Educa- tional Services. The National Literacy Agency will continue with its popular pro- grammes 'Aqra Mieghi'/Read with Me, Reading Ambassadors, the distribution of reading books on a large scale and other initiatives which will expand and reach out to more students. Students will be provided with learning programmes such as the Prince's Trust XL programme and the Core Curriculum Programme. And the Gem 16+ Centre, Alterna- tive Learning Programme school and Youth Inc. will continue to provide opportunities to students to re-engage with learning. matter with the MIDI consor- tium. The PN said that it agreed with the residents of Gzira, add- ing that just last year the PN put forward in parliament a draft law intended to safeguard citizens' access to the foreshore and other areas that fall within the public domain. While insisting that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat does not have any environmental credentials – as evidenced by his decisions on Zonqor and the fact that he issued five permits for skyscrapers in one day – the PN said that the country is right to expect the Prime Minister to take action. The PN has called on the Prime Minister to stop using the Gzira mayor in actions that will not ul- timately lead to anything and to do what needs to be done with- out wasting any more time. Alternattiva Demokratika have on their part reiterated that Ma- noel Island should be reclaimed by the government and main- tained as an Eco Island Natural Park, with only pedestrians and bicycles allowed inside. AD wel- comed the steps taken by the government against MIDI add- ing that there should now be "rapid enforcement" against the blatant infringements by MIDI. It added that after the legal ac- tion taken against MIDI and fish farm owners, it is now imperative that these measures are enforced and then extended to other areas such as MonteKristo Estates and Armier, which have also been il- legally taken over. The PN called on the Prime Minister to stop using the Gzira mayor in 'actions that will not ultimately lead to anything' YANNICK PACE Parents whose children attend San Andrea school have com- plained about the school's plans to double transport prices for par- ents requesting their children to be dropped off at a location other than that from which they were picked up Parents were informed over the past month, that those who want their children to be picked up from one address and then dropped off at a different location, such as at a grandparent or other relative's house, will have to pay double the standard transportation fee for this service. Parents who spoke to MaltaTo- day said that with both parents working, it is sometimes neces- sary for children to be dropped off either at a grandparent's house or in some cases the parent's place of work. Parents also said that given that they pay good money to send their children to the school, they expect the school to take care of logistics in order to accommodate parents' needs. One parent, commenting on Fa- cebook, pointed out that the school was difficult enough to get to as it is, and that this decision by the school will further exacerbate the existing transportation problem. "Instead of encouraging people to use school transport they are hin- dering efforts to use the service." Parents who spoke to this news- paper said that they were very dis- appointed that the school is taking this attitude. "Given the money we pay and the support we give to the school I am very disappointed that the school has taken this position. We have written to the school board however they do not seem to be willing to change their mind," said one parent who wished to remain anonymous. Another mother explained how, given that her children take part in extra-curricular activities some days of the week, she cannot accept that she is being asked to pay double the price for a service which she is already not making full use of. "It is impossible for me or my husband to leave work, in the rush hour, to collect their children and return to work." While a number of complaints were lodged with the school board, no reply was forthcoming before this going to print. School ups van prices ahead of scholastic year