“Investing in modernisation of education is a multipurpose key, it is the key to economic growth, competitiveness, innovation and quality of life both at the personal and societal level.” MEP Francis Zammit Dimech made these remarks during an exchange of view with the European Commission on modernisation of education in the EU when attending his first CULT Committee meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels. The CULT committee is responsible for culture, education, media, youth and sport.

Zammit Dimech emphasised the need of training and professional development for teaching staff at all levels especially in new communication methods as communication was crucial in education. He welcomed initiatives taken by the University of Malta to provide academics with training opportunities in communication.

The new Maltese MEP appealed that modernisation of education could only be successful if all relevant stakeholders were involved in the process so as to own such changes. He stressed that dialogue was needed in this regard to ensure that the process does not bring along bureaucracy and reform fatigue on teaching staff. In his concluding remarks Zammit Dimech stated that we need to make education more fun for students to motivate them, to make it interesting and to make it an interactive experience.

At the beginning of the meeting the Maltese MEP was welcomed by the Chairperson of the Committee, MEP Petra Kammerevert. Zammit Dimech stated that he was looking forward to work on this committee and outlined his motivation to contribute further considering its portfolio. Zammit Dimech who is himself an academic has also served as a cabinet minister for various portfolios including media, communication and culture.

Zammit Dimech will be officially declared as a new MEP by the President of the European Parliament on Monday 11 September during the next plenary session taking place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.