Education Minister Clifton Grima presented the first Digital Literacy Awards during a national ceremony held on Thursday evening, recognising students and educators in State schools for their work in digital innovation, coding, artificial intelligence and inclusive learning initiatives.

Grima presented the Digital Awards to winners during the first edition of the Digital Literacy Awards held on Thursday evening.

The event celebrated best practices, creativity and dedication already present in State schools, with both students and educators taking part, a statement said.

"This is a celebration that places at its centre a skill that is crucial both for the present and the future of our country - digital literacy. These awards reflect a clear vision: a vision of education that is not afraid of change, that adapts, and that looks ahead," Grima said.

The Minister said that in an increasingly digital world, the responsibility is to ensure that technology is used as a tool for quality, opportunity and development.

He said that government remains committed to investing in education as the foundation of society, reflected in the long-term Vision Malta 2050, which clearly recognises education as a central pillar of the future of Malta and Gozo.

"Investment in digital skills means investment in people - in our students, our educators and our communities. It also means preparing young people to become informed, critical and responsible citizens in a complex and dynamic world. Innovation in education requires courage, collaboration and trust," Grima said.

He also referred to the work currently being carried out within Malta's education system, including the launch of the Digital Education Strategy 2025-2030, the distribution of laptops and two-in-one devices to students, and the extensive work being undertaken by the Directorate for Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills.

"This Directorate is doing significant work in this sector, which unfortunately is not always visible, but which is delivering benefits both to students and to educators," he said.

Grima said that the Directorate's work ranges from teaching coding and digital competences to participation in international initiatives introducing students to computational thinking.

"Through an agreement with the Faculty of Education, the Directorate launched a Postgraduate Certificate in Computational Thinking and Coding for Primary Educators - a programme providing teachers with the knowledge and practical skills to integrate these concepts in the classroom. This is also an electoral programme pledge that we have delivered," Grima said.

He added that several initiatives related to artificial intelligence are also underway, including participation in international forums.

"Today's celebration is a clear sign of the direction the country is taking - that excellence, innovation and quality in digital education are a national priority," he said.

Grima congratulated the winners and all participants, encouraging the continued growth of this culture of commitment and creativity.

Awards were presented in various categories, including Director's Choice Award; AI in Teaching and Learning Award; Creative Digital Content Award; Inclusive Digital Learning Award; Innovative Teaching and Learning Award; Collaborative Project Award; and Digital Citizenship Award.