In an ideal educational system all students are supported to reach their potential throughout the compulsory years of schooling and beyond. This assumes that there are all the supporting structures in place and there is a supportive environment beyond school.

Realities are however different. Some students will require additional support at one time or even throughout their schooling and this support despite necessary is often overlooked.

I shall not refer to the support provided through private tuition or services run by NGOs as I believe that it is still the duty of the state to provide remedial education and support.  Nonetheless, private tuition or programmes carried out by qualified educators is valuable and is also a second chance education.

There are a number of public institutions that provide a second chance education. For years the higher secondary was one of them although over the past years its remit has been changed. The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology is an institution that caters for all MQF levels and for some students it is a second chance education. The Institute of Tourism Studies is another institution catering for all levels. These are all post-secondary institutions. In a different way, the University of Malta also provides a second chance education through the maturity clause to access courses and also through the updated entry criteria of the Junior College.

In the past years we have also seen initiatives which cater for students in their final years of secondary school. The Alternative Learning Programme is a school which caters for students before they reach school leaving age and provides alternative programmes to a selected cohort of students. Services in secondary schools such as learning zones and learning centres also cater for these needs.

Very recently there was the introduction of Catch-up classes, a national service which support school leaving students in achieving SEC qualifications. This service being carried out by qualified teachers in summer, in primary and in secondary in assisting a number of students in gaining access to post-secondary institutions and is commendable.

Upon reaching adulthood, the Lifelong Learning services by the Education Ministry are assisting a number of individuals in gaining specific knowledge and skills. There are also the dedicated services offered by the MAV College in Arts, Music, Drama and Dance, which offer specific education services also serving as a second chance education.   

The services for adults provided by private institutions are on the rise and most of them are supported by the state through funding schemes, grants, rebates and sponsorships. These services are gaining ground through the diverse educational programmes provided, their flexibility  and through collaborations with foreign institutions and awarding bodies.

Education is a lifelong process and a second chance, support systems and lifelong learning services need to be available to all.  

Marco Bonnici is President of the Malta Union of Teachers