Education Minister Clifton Grima on Tuesday launched the National Education Strategy document for the next six years, 2024 to 2030, for a public consultation process.
Addressing a press conference at the National Library in Valletta, Grima said that government approached stakeholders back in April to start a consultation process to help draw up the strategy document. Now, that document was put together and has been launched, and a public consultation on it is open. The official launch of the final strategy set to occur in March 2024.
The document was drafted and created with all stakeholders and parties in the education sector, which included educators, students, parents, and all those involved in the education sector, as well as all ministries, the press was told, which amounted to over 200 pre-consultation meetings.
The strategy is based on three pillars, with a total of 36 measures and 120 initiatives.
The first pillar is that of Wellbeing, encompassing 14 measures, and 43 initiatives, which prioritises the individual. Among the measures, government said it will provide a stronger support mechanism for all educators which increases the level of job satisfaction.
This measure includes an outreach programme initiative, the launch of a Wellbeing Programme for Educators leading to the Strategy for Educators' Wellbeing, as well as the setting up of a Wellbeing Unit for Educators, to provide professional help on a demand basis and mental health support for teachers.
Another one of the measures under this pillar proposes the systematic and direct involvement of educators in the policy development cycle, and another measure proposes the simplification and cutting down of administrative burden on educators.
This pillar also focuses on the wellbeing of learners. One of the initiatives includes the Family-Community-School Link Programme, a robust and methodical link between the school, the family and the community for a more holistic approach to wellbeing.
Another initiative proposes the setting up of a National Learners' Wellbeing Unit which offers specialised services to learners of all age groups. The Wellbeing pillar also included measures for structured programmes to enhance digital literacy and digital citizenship skills.
One of the other measures proposes an increase in time and quality of physical activity in compulsory schooling, as well as sharpened awareness on how to deal with issues like radicalisation.
The document also mentions a measure to have Student Councils which move away from activity organisation, and transform them into a true embodiment of a democratic process and advocates for ESG goals, through the setting up of a National Student Forum.
The second pillar: Growth and Empowerment
The second pillar of the strategy focuses on the growth and empowerment of the individual.
The strategy proposes the revision of the National Curriculum Framework, where the Ministry plans to revise the syllabi and phasing out content overlap, a result of a subject-based system, as well as the revision of the Learning Outcomes Framework to address overload, and for it to become more reflective of the skills and attitudes needed for the next years.
This measure also includes the re-designing of the foreign language awareness in primary schools to expose students to a foreign language from an early age, and a revised MATSEC model reflecting changes made to the National Curriculum Framework.
The second pillar also includes a measure for all children, irrespective of their economic, social and cultural status (ESCS), to possess a basic level of literacy, as well as reinforcement of the Maltese language as a core subject, as a means to preserve local culture, through the introduction of digital content in the Maltese language, among others.
Other measures aim to improve the quality in pre-compulsory education settings, as well as for a revised and improved higher and further education system.
Measures under this pillar include the recognition of elite athletes' effort in professional sport, through the launch of the Talented Athlete Scheme, as well as the expansion of the Scholarship Programme in relation to sports, for post-secondary and tertiary education level.
The second pillar also aims to further recognise arts as a specialised area of studies, with a specialised action plan that recognises the strengths and addresses the areas of development of the current model employed at the Malta Visual and Performing Arts College.
The strategy also includes the setting of a Trade Institute, based on a micro-credentials system, for post-secondary students to promote careers in the traditional and modern trades.
The strategy plan also aims to improve synergy between the education sector and the industry, through more collaboration and partnerships.
The third pillar: Equity and Inclusion
The third pillar of the national strategy focuses on equity and inclusion, to address the country's multi-cultural reality, with the first measure aiming for a revised inclusion model.
The strategy includes a measure to formally recognise skills and abilities of students and youths in Resource Centres, with an initiative to formulate a Curriculum Framework for Resource Centres, as well as a Learning Outcomes Framework
This pillar includes measures aimed at strengthening courses offered by the Lifelong Learning Unit, as well as its social function. Initiatives for this measure include the engagement of NGOs which work with youths for the formulation of outreach accredited programmes, as well as the strengthening of Career Guidance.
Another measure proposes a more comprehensive assessment of international students before entering the compulsory system, through an assessment that is carried out for international students, covering not only linguistic competency, but also educational background and socio-emotional health.
This measure includes a thorough assessment of the impact of international students and their participation in compulsory schooling, followed by an action plan that addresses identified challenges.
The strategy also wants to employ an integrated approach to address complex difficulties children and young people face, through an initiative of a specialised task force whose primary aim is to see how services by the Education Ministry as well as others, are to be better integrated.
Grima, addressing several stakeholders in the education sector, including representatives from the Malta Union of Teachers, and the University of Malta's rector, said that he was very satisfied with the "new and innovative" method taken up to devise the pre-consultation document.
"This document represents our vision as a country in the education sector, where we must add value to the individual, especially educators, who are central in the strategy," Grima said.
He added that government wants students to reach their full potential, and have the necessary skills they need to succeed in their respective paths in life.
Grima described the strategy document as a "gift" for the Maltese public, so that everyone in the education sector can have a better future, and an education system which acknowledges the wellbeing of the individual.
Permanent Secretary for the Education Ministry Matthew Vella said that while normally the pre-consultation document is created between few people in a room, this time, the Ministry went out and involved all stakeholders actively.
Vella said that during the meetings held for the strategy, there were varying thoughts, and the Ministry looked at things in a more tangible way which can be implemented.
He said that the strategy does not only look at the academic part of education, but also other sectors meriting investment, such as sports and the visual and performing arts.
Vella said that this model, in which the Ministry consulted with stakeholder beforehand, can be improved and evolved.
"2030 is the first step, however, 2050 is our aim. We are wholly working to address long-term plans, and in January, there will be more meetings with entities," Vella said.
Vella also said that the strategy document was released in a child-friendly version, which was also distributed to those present, saying that the Ministry wants to reach everyone, including children.