Coronavirus-related disruptions are giving us all time to rethink and relaunch. 

Not since World War II has the world seen schools and educational institutions go into lockdown. We are realizing that the impact of this virus will be far-reaching, however what might it mean in the longer term for education?

An article in the World Economic Forum looks at the education sector and states that, “For a while now, educators around the world have been talking about the need to rethink how we educate future generations. This might just be the disruption that the sector needed to get us all to rethink how we educate, and question what we need to teach and what we are preparing our students for.”

So, as we are grappling with the new ways of communicating with our students away from classrooms and lecture theatres, it is a good time to reflect and think about tomorrow.

A thoroughly interesting read, the article delves into ways COVID-19 could change how we educate future generations. 

The Ministry for Education and Employment was proactive from the start in the extraordinary circumstances brought about by Covid-19. Decisions on details relating to the closure of all educational institutions from early years up until the tertiary level were issued in a holistic and timely manner. The Ministry issued comprehensive instructions as to how the students were going to progress from one year to the next, as well as details pertaining to exams. 

In the meantime, during the period where schools and educational institutions are closed, a working group containing the major stakeholders in the area saw to online education and to the impact on the curriculum. The educational services available in all levels and entities within the Ministry were clustered on the helpline 25981000. The Ministry also made sure that children who were eligible for free lunches every day at school still received them, and that vulnerable students who did not have internet or a computer at home were helped as well.

The Ministry is also coordinating a comprehensive framework for the preparation of the eventual re-opening of educational institutions, whilst actively following the situation at national level and following the advice of the health authorities. It is also noting the decisions that other countries are taking in the educational sector. The framework for the preparation of re-opening of educational institutions reflects all this and follows the obtaining model proposed by the United Nations. This model was further developed to reflect the context and situation in our country. 

In the circumstances which are still developing, as explained in the most professional manner by the health authorities, the framework for the preparation of re-opening of educational institutions is considering the various probable scenarios in which, eventually, educational institutions might open.

According to each probable scenario, the framework is looking at five main aspects: health and safety, information, development and training, the need for quality education, the need that education reaches every student, and the necessary financing.

The framework for the preparation of the re-opening of education institutions is also being discussed with the main stakeholders. Thorough consultations with the health authorities in the light of the national situation are and will remain ongoing.

The Ministry, through the framework for the preparation of the re-opening of educational institutions, will be eventually taking the best possible decisions upon the directions given by the health authorities, and will be issuing updates as the need arises. 

Further to the above, I announced the establishment of a think tank with a look towards the future. Our aim is to propose ideas, thoughts and reflections on the future, in light of Covid-19 and beyond.

The think tank is composed of Professor Edward de Bono, Dr Colin Calleja, Professor Richard England, Dr Frank Fabri, Ms Joanne Grima, Ms Julianne Grima, Mr Frederick Schembri and Mr David Xuereb. I am pleased that the Malta Union of Teachers will also be represented in this Think Tank by the Chairperson of the union’s own working group which will be formed of educators with valuable classroom experience.

It has to be clarified that the composition of the think tank as originally announced includes two members who are teachers by profession, with years of experience in various levels of the educational sector.  At the same time, we listened to and acted upon justified feedback which was put forward on the need to have due representation of teachers who teach everyday in the classroom.  

The office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Employment will be providing logistical and co-ordinating support.

I thank the members of the think tank for accepting to form part of this working group and I am sure that their unique qualities and vast experiences will be put to use for a better education sector. The think tank is made up of persons who hold international standing in the field of philosophy, thinking and creativity, professionals who specialised in the educational sector, others who are making a successful career in multi-media and leading industrialists and people representing the industries.

It is our duty to anticipate tomorrow’s world in order to be better placed to turn challenges into opportunities, and thus I invite the members of the think tank to engage in an exercise of blue sky thinking and be open for all creative ideas.

The group is expected to look back, read the moment, and with creativity and measured thinking, look towards the possible future. The think tank will be holding the necessary consultations and will eventually present a report. This report is certainly expected to trigger reflections, discussions and actions with the aim of improving further our education system.

We want discussion, reflection and ideas on the education of the future in the light of COVID-19 and beyond in order to be able, as a country, to turn tomorrow's challenges into opportunities.

The think tank is expected to have the necessary consultations and present its report not later than Monday, 14th September, 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis may well change our world and our global outlook. It may also teach us about how education needs to change to be able to better prepare our young learners for what the future might hold.