The European Commission’s ‘Country Report Malta 2020’, published on the 26th of February gives a thorough look at Malta’s performance in various sectors, including education and employment.

The publication reports that the Maltese economy has been experiencing fast growth and sustained employment creation for several years, stating that employment rates continue to increase for both men and women, and further states that unemployment rates, including long-term unemployment and youth unemployment, are well below the EU average. The participation of young women in the labour market has significantly increased, facilitated by free childcare.

Delving into to report, I was pleased to notice very positive results in both the labour market and the education sector. This is a great step ahead, but one of many. Our goal is to continue improving both sectors, working to further strengthen these two sectors, considered as two of the most important for every family and for the country’s economy.

Take the Labour market. I am here quoting the report, but further down I am also commenting on the latest NSO statistics which show further improvement.

The unemployment rate dropped to 3.4% in the second quarter of 2019. The report also highlights the fact that in 2018, the employment rate in Malta reached 75.5%, and that at 5.7% its employment growth is the highest in the EU, with the unemployment rate at a record low (3.7%), including for young people aged 15-24 (9.1%). The share of young people (aged 15-24) not in employment, education or training is 7.3%, far below the EU average of 10.5%. Long-term unemployment (1.1%) is also at a record low.

Complimenting these statistics in the employment sector, we also find positive results in the education sector. Whilst lauding the work done by all which brought about this outcome, I assure everyone that in other sectors we will continue to strive to better other aspects.

The report also notes that Malta is one of the EU’s leaders in training ICT specialists (7.9% of all graduates), and they account for a relatively high share of the workforce (4.8% against 3.9% in the EU).

The employment rate of VET (Vocational Education and Training) graduates in Malta is well above the EU average (91% against 79.5% EU in 2018). The overall uptake of VET subjects in secondary schools increased from 23% in 2016 to 55% in 2019. Malta has taken steps to improve the labour-market relevance of initial VET. On average, 32% of upper-secondary initial VET students followed work-based programmes in 2017, well above the EU average of 27%. The number of apprenticeships organised by the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) increased to 950 in the 2019-2020 academic year, 130 more than in the previous year. In 2019, MCAST added six new degree apprenticeships at bachelor level 6, which allow students to achieve a recognised qualification while obtaining work experience. In addition, a project co-financed by the European Social Fund offers mentoring for MCAST lecturers and staff involved in apprenticeship programmes.

Further analysing the education sector, the Country Report 2020 reports that in 2017 Malta spent 4.9% of its GDP (vs 4.6% of GDP at EU level) and 13.9% of its total public expenditure (vs 10.2% at EU level) on education.

The report also notes that the number of new entrants in tertiary education is accelerating. From 2013 to 2017, the number of new entrants in tertiary education increased by 23.3%, reflecting demographic factors and measures to ease access. The proportion of people aged 30-34 with tertiary-level qualifications has also increased since 2010.

Malta has developed many initiatives for promoting the acquisition of digital skills. Young people (16-19 year-olds) reported having a higher level of digital skills than the EU average (74% against 57%) in 2017. The share of Maltese schools with a high provision of digital equipment is greater than the EU averages at primary (82% against 35% at EU level) and lower-secondary level (54% against 52%). Measures are underway to help teachers integrate digital technologies into their teaching to improve student outcomes.

The Ministry for Education and Employment welcomes these positive outcomes and also notes sectors where significant improvements were noted due to the implementation of various policy initiatives, namely the activity rate of women in the labour market and the share of low-skilled people and early school-leavers.

We will continue with dedication and resolve to better both these sectors.

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The latest statistics published by the National Statistics office on Wednesday show that in September 2019, registered full-time employment increased by 5.7% while part-time employment as a primary job increased by 2.9% when compared to the corresponding month in 2018.

Administrative data provided by Jobsplus shows that, over a period of one year, in September there was an increase in the labour supply (excluding part-timers), reaching 223,029. This was mainly attributed to a year on year increase in the full-time registered employment (11,983) and a decline in registered unemployment (145).

Further statistics show that registered full-time employment in the private sector went up by 10,979 persons to 172,840 and that the number of persons registered as full-time self-employed rose by 1,371 when compared to September 2018, while the number of persons registered as employees increased by 10,612. Fulltime employment for males and females went up by 5.4% and 6.3% respectively over 2018 levels.

Our holistic vision for our country is giving the best results.

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Two primary schools, one in Ħal Lija and the other in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, have been awarded with the Dyslexia Friendly Award, an initiative by the Specific Learning Difficulties Services, through the Directorate of Learning Programmes and Assessment, which falls within the Ministry for Education and Employment.

Speaking at the award ceremony, I lauded such initiatives, as they help to ensure more inclusivity within our schools from an early age. In May 2018, the first two schools were given this award. At present, 28 schools have embarked on the Dyslexia Friendly Initiative. Schools have shown interest in the methods and principles advocated by the Specific Learning Difficulties Services, and I encourage more schools to participate in such initiatives. In fact, the service indicates that 9% of the school population between Year 4 and Year 11 are experiencing dyslexic type difficulties, and, through the introduction of a Dyslexia Friendly School, we are including an increased awareness of dyslexia and commitment to support students.

The Dyslexia Friendly Schools Initiative was launched in 2015. The team in charge illustrated the required multisensory strategies for reading, spelling and study, which are essential for students with dyslexia, but also beneficial for all to the schools that showed interest. The Specific Learning Difficulties Service includes a team of 19 educators who are specialised in dyslexia and in ways of supporting students who are experiencing dyslexic-type difficulties.

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"Isn't it interesting how a barrier seems insurmountable, until it comes down?"

I dedicate this quote by world famous Barbara Streisand to all women on Women’s Day. There were barriers, some have been brought down, and others still need to be surmounted.

Our country is doing its utmost. Maybe, but not only, one of the most discussed is female representation in parliament. This is about to change with the latest proposal from the Government that up to 40% of MPs in the next legislature will be women, after agreement in the Committee for the Advancement of Democratic Representation on the way forward on this matter. This also means that the government will have kept to its promise of introducing the system in time for the 2022 general election.

But, apart from politics, I wish all the very best to all women readers of this newspaper.