National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

Education and Training
The objective of Government’s Vision 2015 is to make Malta a centre of excellence in various
areas in order to entice foreign investment. Education is a key factor in the success of this
vision, since the adequate supply of skilled labour is fundamental to achieve excellence in any
area. Malta’s educational system is based on the fact that compulsory education is
mandatory till the age of 16. Following this age it is up to the students to further their
education in the various institutions that provide higher education.
Government has increased its expenditure for 2008 by €21million 25 in the educational field in
all areas of education to enable students to obtain a better level of education.
In compulsory education, Government is implementing reforms to change the structure of
state schools into colleges, thus aiming to achieve a better teaching delivery as well as
increased use of IT. The rest of the schools are undergoing a process of upgrading and
refurbishment.
In terms of vocational and higher education government has also invested particularly in
areas of science and technology in order to ensure a supply of skilled labour to the new
enterprises currently being targeted for foreign direct investment.
The state of play of the Education and Training pillar measures is outlined below:
Measure 4.1
Implement the reforms of the compulsory education system in the strategy document entitled
"For all Children to Succeed"
The reforms in this initiative are in a very advanced stage of completion. The Colleges are
now up and running with the College Principals employed and functioning.
The reforms in the Education Division have been concluded. This structure was changed into
two separate Directorates General - the Malta Educational Directorate and the Educational
Services Directorate respectively. The Malta Educational Directorate will act as a central
national policy maker and regulator for the Maltese educational system and will be
responsible for the setting of standards and ensuring the delivery of quality education. On the
other hand, the Educational Services Directorate is responsible for the co-ordination of the
operation of educational services and schools, and fulfils the role of a support and services
resource.
Currently a number of schools are being refurbished and others being built in order to extend
the current stock of schools. A new secondary school in Qormi has been completed whilst
the Verdala school is close to completion and with all the timeframes being respected. The
construction of the Pembroke School has commenced and construction is soon to start at a
school in Mosta.
Measure 4.2
Set up a higher education directorate
This Directorate has been set up and currently close to its full complement. Since its
permanent establishment, the NCHE has started addressing a number of critical matters
including the following:
• Governance of state higher end further education institutions in Malta
• A quality assurance framework for institution and course accreditation
• Student support schemes to further their studies at undergraduate, masters and
doctoral levels
• Support and advice on the development of a strategy for the use of structural funds in
the further and higher sectors
25 Budget Speech 2008. Available online at http://finance.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=MFIN&ref=2008_speech_en
[Accessed 2 nd October 2008]
Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 19 -