Family Life in Malta

                 

                    For Families

 

When I started this adventure--and this web site--I never even thought about coming here with kids--because mine are already grown up. 

But I know of people who have moved from the UK because they prefer the schools here for their children.

So I’m going to include some bits and pieces of family life and concerns as I come across them.  To me, Malta looks like a good place to raise a family. I don know that one tradition is the Sunday lunch at a restaurant for local families.

For a Discussion on Private Schools in Malta—February 20, 2010

Just met Tim and his great wife and two kids from the US. They have been living in Malta fro two months now and went through a lot of research about schools.  I’m including an excerpt from a conversation (written by Tim) about schools on Expat Blog.com. I think it’s an excellent discussion which will help any family coming to Malta who has to decide on schools.

Schools - our kids, 13 (daughter) and 8 (son), moved here from the US School system, they are at San Anton (literally next door to San Andrea). They have both had quite a lot of adjustment to make. They have been there for just over a month now and there have been some issues...maybe peculiar to San Anton, but I think more to the differences between the US and the Malta education systems and culture.

Our choice came down to San Anton or Chiswick House/St Martin's...but everyone has their own views.

Malta is a small island so you could live anywhere and send your kids to any school, especially as all the private schools use busing services, but your kids may be on the bus for a long time. We chose not to use the bus service (cost and a bit scary!) so we live in Naxxar quite close to San Anton...again all personal choices.

There is a US style school too, Verdala International School - they didn't have an opening for our daughter in January anyway and are about 3 times as expensive as San Anton, but it may be an option for you...a co-workers kids both go there and they are all very happy with their choice.

There is a lot of money to spend on the private schools up-front...the application fees, the bond (returnable when your youngest child leaves the school at 16) and the uniform costs [about 2000 Euros tuition per semester—every three months] and [the start-up costs were about 3000 Euros including books and uniforms for two kids].
Tim

 

Question:

We  home school our kids here in the States, and I heard that this is not possible in Malta. If we hire a teacher, will this work? Or is there another way around it?

 

 

Answer:

Home schooling is not usual in Europe and not allowed in Malta.In fact, some German parents were just granted asylum in the US because they didn't want their children to attend regular school in Germany.

If you become a resident (you have to after being here for more than 3 months), then your children have to attend public, church or private schools. Hiring a private teacher would not work.

The only way around the rule is to not become a resident--that is, come and go every three months! But I don't think I can recommend that for the kids' sake, as they would not get any officially-recognized school education-- apart from other problems.

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Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Vincent--Thanks for the info about schools and the link. Very helpful--Ilene

[Vincent Cassar]

I suggest that you visit our local Minitry of Education web site that is www.meef.gov.mt for further guidance. My suggestion is that if you want to feel fully integrated in a Maltese community, choose a school available. I would go for a state school and have a godd chat with the head of the school for special arrangements that might be necessary. The kids wil simply mix immediately and it will help the parents as well to feel part of the community. Good Luck!!!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Babe, as usual xxx
Ilene from An-American-In-Malta.com

[Mr.S.]

Hi,
I'm sorry to say that the answer to both questions is no as school is compulsory for children from 5 to 16 years.
Check out this link:

http://www.education.gov.mt/edu/educ_guide_to_education.htm

The only way around would be to stay less than 3 months as tourists and hope that the state doesn't become aware of the kids.

[spelling game]

We home school our kids here in the States, and I heard that this is not possible in Malta. If we hire a teacher, will this work? Or is there another way around it?

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Haven,

When I click on that page, I get further instructions on subscribing to a feed (it has a wavy icon). I haven't worked on this section yet, but will be soon. I'm starting to meet people with young families---Ilene

[haven skye]

how do you subscribe to the comment feed ?? I clicked on the link above, and it is blank ? Let me know, thanks