The education authorities are looking into setting up a basic curriculum for migrant students who speak neither English nor Maltese.

A spokesman for the Education Ministry said education officers within the department were also discussing the content used for the teaching of English and Maltese as foreign languages in schools, as well as teaching these languages through other subjects such as PSCD, creative arts, mathematics and science.

Last week, the Malta Union of Teachers called for better planning when dealing with students of migrant and foreign families.

About 600 migrant students who could not communicate in English or Maltese were identified in State schools last year, the ministry said. Three quarters of them were in primary schools.

This year, about 230 students have so far been identified as requiring assistance.

At present, an induction system focuses on the teaching of basic communicative language, the ministry said in answer to questions. New students are given a six-week language course and if still unable to communicate in English and Maltese at the end of it, the course is extended by a year.

Special hubs have been set up in a number of schools to cater for those who require further assistance after the six-week course. They currently cater for 25 groups of students, each numbering 18 or less. The spokesman said this facilitated the inclusion of students in the mainstream system and promoted active inclusion and diversity.

When developing such services, the well-being of the child’s family would also have to be kept in mind, the spokesman added.