A report by a European agency has called for a radical mind shift from a charity-based model to a human rights approach that ensures inclusive education for all. Compared to other schools across member states of the EU, local schools include less students with special needs. Nonetheless, in the past years, Malta has improved when it comes to inclusive education.

An auditing process by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education analysed the strengths and weaknesses of the local educational system, and has now put forward a report with finding and recommendations. Members of the team had the opportunity to visit local schools and witness educational practices first hand, interviewing a number of students with special needs in the process. The agency was handed the task to look into the policy and practice of inclusive education in Malta, and provide feedback in accordance to local standards put forward by the ministry .The audit team included members of the agency as well as three professional experts in the field of inclusive education.

The report, entitled ‘Education for All’, recommends that a national training body is established to ensure development of a skill for educators. Findings state that local stakeholders feel that the concept of ‘inclusive education’ needs to be clarified, and there should be more support in developing a curriculum that engages all learners. Educators requested the establishment of a training body that also provides monitoring and performance reviews. Parents groups, on the other hand, asked for a greater flexibility of support availability within schools.

"It is up to us to ensure that all children within schools are being reached, and we need to change the mentality that students with special needs are solely the responsibility of learning support assistants (LSAs). Education is a right, not an act of charity," Education and Employment Minister Evarist Bartolo said.