Over 8,000 Educators To Return To Work For New Scholastic Year

Sep 23 2024

On Monday, September 23, a total of 8,237 educators in state schools will return to work, followed by 29,086 students from primary to secondary schools starting their new academic year on Wednesday, September 25.

Additionally, 5,911 kindergarten students will begin their school year on October 1. Once all students have returned, a total of 34,997 students will be enrolled in state schools.

This new academic year follows a summer of extensive preparations, from administrative and academic tasks to infrastructure and digital projects. 235 new professionals, including educators, have been employed, and 544 contracts have been renewed.

There will be 3,449 free school transport routes this year, 931 of which are for state school students. In total, 33,761 students from kindergarten to secondary level will benefit from this service, including 14,031 from state schools and 19,730 from church and independent schools.

Three major educational infrastructure projects were completed with a €64 million investment, while 18 playground renovation projects are ongoing with over €500,000 invested. Additionally, €2 million was allocated to around 500 maintenance projects.

The Information Management Unit also completed 78 digital projects, including infrastructure for the new Msida school, and enhanced digital classroom systems on Microsoft Teams and My School platforms. Security systems for students’ digital devices were also improved.

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Neil Smashes Previous 125km Record: Aiming For 160km

Sep 23 2024

Ultra-endurance athlete and clean seas advocate Neil Agius has surpassed his own world record by swimming over 125 km, with the goal of completing 160 km before leaving the water.

Agius reached the 125 km milestone at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, swimming along Malta’s southern coast near Marsaxlokk after 52 hours in the water.

This breaks his previous record, set in 2021. For the swim to be officially recognized, Agius must finish by reaching shore unaided, though he plans to continue for another 40 km.

Agius began his journey at Mellieħa Bay around 9 a.m. on Saturday, supported by young swimmers, a team of medical staff, skippers, and volunteers. His route took him southeast around Malta, circling Gozo on Sunday before returning to Malta.

Despite being in good spirits, Agius faces a tough final stretch with worsening weather conditions, including rain, wind, and rising sea swells.

To complete the 160 km swim, Agius must navigate along Malta’s eastern coast, a difficult route with few landing points. His team remains vigilant as the athlete continues this record-breaking attempt, aiming for a safe and successful finish onshore.

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5 Who Assaulted Police Kept In Custody: Plead Not Guilty

Sep 23 2024

Five individuals—four men and one woman—were charged with assaulting and injuring police officers during a Saturday night altercation in Ħamrun.

The accused, aged 23 to 46, were identified as Elton Anthony Borg, Erica Borg, Kurt Borg, Redeimen Aquilina, and Christian Mansueto. All pleaded not guilty to charges including assaulting officers, resisting arrest, and forming a mob to cause public fear.

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Magistrate Joseph Gatt denied their bail request due to the severity of the charges and potential risk of evidence tampering.

The incident occurred when police officers issued a parking citation, prompting an altercation with a group from a nearby restaurant. Video footage of the brawl circulated widely on social media, sparking public outrage. One officer sustained serious injuries, while the other was lightly injured.

Three of the accused were arrested at the scene, while the other two were tracked down through CCTV footage.

The court was informed that footage from Borg’s restaurant had been removed, and one of the defendants disposed of his clothes before being arrested.

Despite their defence lawyers’ arguments for bail, the court remained unconvinced, citing the risk of further evidence tampering. All five remain in police custody.

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Tenishia Thornton In 10th Place At IWF World Championships

Sep 23 2024

At the IWF Junior World Championships in León, Spain, Maltese weightlifter Tenishia Thornton delivered an impressive performance in the 64A category.

In the Snatch, she successfully lifted 85kg and, despite missing her second attempt at 88kg, she recovered on her third try to complete the lift.

In the Clean and Jerk, Thornton initially struggled due to abdominal pain but powered through to lift 106kg in her second attempt. She capped off her competition by lifting 109kg, finishing with a total of 197kg and placing 10th in the world rankings.

Rylee Borg also competed in the 81kg C category, where he set new Maltese Junior records.

After missing his first Snatch attempt at 113kg, Borg nailed it on his second try and followed up with a 116kg lift. In the Clean and Jerk, he lifted 142kg and eventually succeeded at 147kg in his third attempt, achieving a total of 263kg and placing 3rd in his group.

Kim Camilleri Laganà competed earlier in the 49kg B category, finishing 7th in her group and 11th overall. She completed a 64kg Snatch and an 86kg Clean and Jerk for a total of 150kg, outperforming competitors from Spain, Japan, and Tunisia.

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