Dr. Albert V. Laferla

Abstract

The First World War adversely affected Maltese education. The schools were converted into hospitals, less and less money was being spent on education, and the real need for more widespread education among the Maltese was never so badly felt. There were no provisions enforcing parents to send their children to school. As a result, school attendance was very irregular; children were being withdrawn from school by their parents at a very early age. Besides, children who were dull and backward, physically unfit, orphan and indigent children were not encouraged to remain at school. In spite of these attitudes, not enough places in schools were provided for all those children who wished to start attending school.