The Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Centre for the Maltese Language (ĊIM) have signed an agreement aimed at introducing some of the Centre's initiatives in Church schools.

The agreement was signed by Dr Ian Mifsud, Director of the Secretariat for Catholic Education, and Dr Maris Camilleri, Acting CEO of the Centre for the Maltese Language, at the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana.

Among these initiatives is the project 'Mal-Melodija', an educational program that combines linguistic, cultural, and historical elements with various musical styles that appeal to today's youth. Until now, this project was aimed at Year 8 (Form 2) students, but through this agreement, the Secretariat will also include Year 9 (Form 3) students. Among other things, students will learn Maltese poetry, part of the Maltese syllabus, through rap and contemporary music.

At the end of the upcoming school year, the Secretariat and the Centre will explore the possibility of organizing an event where students from different Church schools will present the literary and musical content they produced during the 'Mal-Melodija' project.

Another initiative being discussed with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) is a bilingual magazine called 'Elettron', entirely focused on the world of technology.

Mifsud, Director of the Secretariat for Catholic Education, stated that this agreement is another step towards making the educational experience in Church schools a holistic one. He emphasized that proficiency in our native language should be consolidated as one of the essential pillars of the Maltese educational system. He thanked all educators for their continuous commitment to strengthening the Maltese language in schools.

Also present at the agreement signing were Minister for Culture, Lands, and Local Government Owen Bonnici and Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation Clifton Grima, who praised the initiative in favor of the Maltese language in Church schools.

Camilleri, Acting CEO of the Centre for the Maltese Language, said that the Centre, in agreement with the Ministry for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government, is committed to ensuring that its initiatives and projects reach all children in Church schools in the near future. This is so that the Maltese language is further strengthened among adolescents, who represent the future of the country and our national language.