In the last couple of weeks we’ve been able to visit some schools here in Malta. They are grouped in 3 categories: State, Independent, and Church schools. I spent some time in an independent school and in a state school. Here are some observations.

1. Religion is a part of the programs and prayers are a part of everyday life.

2. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard, I would love one for my house.

3. The classrooms are quite structured and academic. They are located in schools and look like classrooms. The three year olds sat at table and learned their ABCs for most of the morning. When it was “free play”, the teacher told the children where they could play. You play with the blocks, you play with the sand, and you two can do art. For art they coloured in the number 1 with paint. Finished. Move on to the next activity. What a difference. I never realized just how much freedom we enjoyed at Pooh Corner.

4. At drop-off & pick-up, children are handed-over at the gate, and there is little parent communication. I’m not sure when the parents actually go to the classrooms. At the independent/private school, drop-off was done in a gym-like room. There was so much noise and craziness that I felt so lost. There must have been over 70 children running lose. Then the head of school blows a whistle, all children line up, and they pray together.

5. In the independent school children speak English, in the state school children speak Maltese.