As regards education, the government will continue to invest in advancing technology and infrastructure to ensure the best quality of education for Maltese students. With the introduction of Blockchain use in education, blockchain technology will be extended to institutions such as the University of Malta. After the introduction of the One Tablet per Child measure for Year 4-Year 6 Primary School students, the government will be introducing a similar pilot project for Middle School students. The pilot project will provide a recommendation report on the expansion of technology use in school, and how it aids both teachers and students in Middle Schools.
Those educators providing research in education, training in vocational, new training or those who provide private lessons will be exempted from VAT payments.
Budget 2020 also includes a €7 million investment towards the infrastructure of both University of Malta and MCAST for more appropriate facilities, which will include more modern laboratories. The government will give allocations to the University to motivate academics to work on innovative research.
2020 will also see the opening of a new primary school in Qawra, being works on new school blocks in Zejtun; begin process of a hall in Secondary School in Santa Lucija and to continue the preparations for primary school in both Msida and Rabat in Gozo.
The government will invest in the initiative of an online Maltese Spellchecker to push the Maltese language to be on par with other languages. The initiative is to push further the use of the Maltese written language. The Budget also highlights on organising more Maltese writing contests and the significance of the literary works of Dun Karm on the Maltese language, so as to push further interest. To initiate and interest students to learn and experience different cultures, the government will be providing a maximum of €850 to those youth who will be teaching a foreign language in another country.
The government will be investigating on a guide on the weight of school bags for students, by pushing for a national study by measuring the weight of each student as well as the weight of their bags. The government is also pushing for a plan for each state school to provide drinking water fountains.
The government will be starting a new youth work programme at the Corrective Centre in Mtahleb. The educational programme will build on necessary skills to understand their potential and grow more confidence for inclusion back in society.
A new affiliation agreement with the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management will be providing new initiative for ITS students. The agreement will be providing the first Masters Qualification in the field of Hospitality (Heritage Interpretation) along with the first Bachelors in the field of Diving. Also the beginning of construction works of a ‘state of the art’ campus at Smart City. The campus will include a hotel which will be run by the students of the Institute.
The government will also be investing in closing the Skills Gap with the creation of an Industry Education Hub, which will ensure the diverse and different operative boards and apprenticeships will meet the quality requirements.
The government will also be pushing for Educational Campaigns for students. One campaign in particular will highlight the effects of drug abuse and harm reduction on the use of cannabis. The campaign is estimated to reach over 9,000 students. The government will also be pushing for a financial scheme for Achievers, a voluntary organisation which will organise activities for children and youths in culture, music and sports.
The government will also be investing in those environmental voluntary organisations (organisations which have been confirmed by the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations and have been running for over five years) by involving a maximum of capping of €1,000 to those organisations pushing forward an appeal towards the Planning Authority. The government will also be pushing for the opening of a new voluntary centre in Marsaxlokk and continue strengthening the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.
Culture
Next year will see the government begin process for a consultation regarding the space of Pjazza Teatru Rjal, whether or not to do further works on the pjazza to improve the national cultural calendar. The governments will taking in all proposals so as to value more respect towards the national heritage, even the proposal for aiding a roof to the theatre.
The government will be investing in the conservation, restoration and modernisation of the historical National Bibliotheca building. Such an investment will make the site more accessible and attractive for tourists and researchers. There will also be investment in the National Library to provide more interactive space to facilitate more inclusion and promote literacy.
The government highlight the importance of culture and wish to provide more opportunities in the field of culture. The government will be pushing further initiatives in the field of World heritage of UNESCO, so that the Maltese islands can highlight its heritage and place Malta and Gozo on the list of World Heritage. The government will invest further in archaeological research, exploration and archival research. The government will begin archival excavation to save what is left of the Neolithic temples at Xrobb L-Ghagin, as well as continue the Underwater Cultural Heritage to improve and document the heritage culture underwater. In regards to restoration works, 2020 will see important restoration works on Cottonera Lines, Victoria Lines and Fort Ricasoli.