Professor Carmel Cefai:

I will build on what Dr. Downes was saying in reference to good practices that have been ongoing in some of our work here in Malta, as well as some initiatives I observed in Australia. The community outreach point is very important. I attended a seminar last week in which the head of the school explained the efforts they make to go out into the community where the parents are. They speak the parents' language and relate to their culture. This is a very important point.

We must realise that schools cannot always do it alone. They need the help of other institutions and social systems, starting with the community. For example, in the case I highlighted, the school developed an agreement with the local council, which had access to many of the parents, in order that together they could reach out to particular parents. The school worked through the local council sometimes and through social services at other times. Sometimes people from the school would visit the bingo nights that some of the parents often attended.

I recall an initiative from Australia that related to engaging the parents to lead the initiatives themselves. To bring the parents closer to the school, a number of parents were nominated who acted as champions for that cause, and the parents themselves led the parent training. Of course, the school invited in experts, but this was not seen as a school-based intervention but rather one organised by parents for parents. That is a good way forward.