THE PRESIDENT VISITS THE SCHOOLGIRL MOTHERS' UNIT

The President of Malta, Prof. Guido de Marco, this morning visited the Schoolgirl Mothers' Unit at Floriana, on the occasion of World Women's Day. This unit is run by the Education Department and provides assistance to girls under eighteen years of age who become pregnant.

President de Marco praised the teachers working in the Unit for the help they give to the girls in their hour of need. He spoke of the need for education and for the girls to continue studying. In this way they would be in a better position to meet challenges of life and offer a future for their children. Women, said the President, still knit together the social fabric and maintain stable social relationships across the generations. It is because of this crucial role that mothers require the necessary education to best be able to transmit values to their children.

Ms Mona Vella, Education Officer in charge of Guidance and Counselling services in the Education Division, spoke of the programme which the girls follow during their pregnancy. Ms. Vella said that the programmes offer the girls the opportunity of getting to know themselves, the changes within them and their future child. The unit offers not only support and counselling to the girls but also academic programmes and guidance for the families.

Mr. Paul Attard, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture and Ms. Joyce Pullicino, Director in the Education Division, were also present.