On the dot...

The fact that the European Union is finding it difficult to find good translators of the Maltese language is very evident. Those who labelled the rice packages donated by the EU definitely need to invest in a spell checker! (right)

Class Act

It is understood that area state schools exist primarily with the aim of serving pupils that come from the catchments area of the same school. Yet, there are various and varied exceptions, as long as a child's personal situation warrants this. Why is it, then, that an assistant head teacher in a school in the central district cited "recent legislation" that made this no longer feasible?

Scrap Heap

Ordinary householders are proud of the fact that they use bring-in sites to separate garbage at source. Yet on March 24, at about 11.45 a.m., a pick-up truck stopped beside a scammel for a totally different purpose. Two skips off the former, one containing a metal oil canister of industrial (restaurant) size and another with a big plastic bag filled with disposable cups and similar items, were deposited in the latter. Everything was then crushed together.

Money 'Talks'

Radio and television presenters appear to assume that everyone has a mobile telephone. Alas, therefore, it never occurs to them, to give a tiny word of advice to those who organise fund-raising activities on the audio-visual media. Donations, for the greater part, may be made solely through an SMS. There are many people who do not have a mobile telephone and who may wish to donate.

Water Thinks

Discipline inside the classroom is all very well but when taken to extremes it does not even benefit the person who is exercising it over another. One hopes more teachers will have an open mind about the need for children to drink in between lessons, especially when the weather is hot. Dehydration may have several ill-effects on growing bodies.

By-Passed

Spring is in the air and poppies, dandelions and other blooms provide a welcome splash of colour here and there, as well as food and shelter to several types of fauna. One hopes that at least this year, the usual gangs of workers, armed with mechanical equivalents of scythes, will not wreak havoc amid the wild plants usually classified as weeds, as they usually do, especially in patches not looked after by the ELC.

Horse Tales

Many moons ago there was talk of fixing things so that horses would not be able to foul streets. When this was considered impractical, the suggestion that karozzin drivers sweep up the mess was also hooted out because of the safety factors involved. So far, nothing has been done about this and places such as Valletta and Sliema are still suffering. No wonder dog owners feel they can let their pets foul the pavements, in their turn, with impunity.

Blocked Spot

This skip (below) was placed on a parking space reserved for motorists with a disability in Mgarr, Gozo. It is certainly not the way disabled persons' rights should be treated.

Field Work

The local council elections have come and gone. And mounds of plastic bags are once again collecting on the perimeters of unused fields or unbuilt plots in areas that have had elections, as well as in others that have not. However, the latter areas are at an advantage; when their elections are looming, they have a greater chance of being given a face-lift.

Bad Ridden?

The Commissioner for Children was recently interviewed on Radio Malta. She gave her views about sleep-overs (inadvisable) succinctly and intelligently. Unfortunately and ironically, a magazine aimed at girls of secondary school age dedicates a whole chapter to this phenomenon, unto suggesting themes, invitations and associated matters.

Press Packed

Maltapost plc has now decided to send the second issue of its second newsletter to households that had not received the first one and thereby could not enter the competitions therein. Meanwhile, one notes that the suggestion made through these columns long ago for personalised stamps be issued to increase the company's revenue will soon be actuated.

Bored Walks

Psaila Street, Casolani Street, Ganu Street and many other streets in Birkirkara really deserve a thorough clean-up. Birkirkara is a large place and the mayor may be finding it difficult to make ends meet with the money that had been voted for maintenance works. This begs the question: Should the hamlet of Fleur-de-Lys be given its own local council or ought it to be annexed to that of Sta Venera?

Work Faze

On April 5, 2004, this column had carried an item about how it was imperative that St Anne Street, in Floriana, be given an overhaul so it would not remain one of the country's death-traps. Almost a year to the day, the project is nearing completion. Perhaps, by the time the Christmas rush is here, the place will actually beget safe driving, rather than neutralise it.