The Education Ministry, the Division of Education and the Curriculum Department in collaboration with the University of Malta have issued a document as a follow up to the Mathematics National Conference The teaching and learning of Mathematics in Malta – Today and Tomorrow which was held in October 2004.

The mathematics conference was the second national conference organised by the ministry following that on the English language.

The two-day conference brought together students, parents, teachers (from state, Church, and private schools), experts (from various faculties of the University of Malta as well as representatives of the Education Division) and experts from different walks of life that consider mathematics to be such and important issue in the world we live in.

Following the conference, an Action Group was set up and a number of meetings were held to discuss the way forward. This booklet and CD are the result of a year’s consultation among experts in the field of mathematics and the recommendations that were put forward during the conference itself.

A few of these recommendations that were put forward during the conference include the need to identify and promote ways to encourage the study of mathematics at higher level (to be in line with the Lisbon Strategy that must be put into operation by 2010) and to identify and promote ways to make mathematics more accessible and attractive to the public.

The working group is also suggesting that there are better links between pre-service and in-service education, that mathematical resources (such as graph boards; different textbooks the cater for a wide range of abilities) are increased and that classes do not exceed 25 students per class.

The feasibility of introducing portfolios and course work is so that assessment will not be wholly summative, but will be also formative is also recommended.