The Ministry for Education & Employment kicks off first Presidency event with the High Level Group on Education and Training

The High Level Group on Education and Training (28th and 29th November) is the first event of the Ministry for Education and Employment marking the start of the incoming Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first six months of 2017.

The meeting will be chaired by Joseph Caruana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Education and Employment with Deputy Chair, Dr Jean Micallef Grimaud, from the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU.

Several high ranking officials from the 28 EU Member States have gathered together to discuss and share their views on the future priorities of European cooperation in education and training. The High Level Group meeting will mainly focus on Malta’s priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will also include input by the Commission on its work programme in education and training for 2017.

‘Inclusion in Diversity’ is the predominant theme which the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union will focus on in the field of education and training. During this meeting, Malta shall highlight the importance of achieving a high quality education for all through the equitable provision of learning programmes, with parity of esteem between academic, vocational and applied education.

This ties up neatly with the reform “My Journey” announced

by the ministry last week, whereby the learning experience will move from a “one size fits all” to one customised to the learning style of the individual learner. The ministry is committed to ensure parity of esteem of the three educational routes of this reform and preparing each individual for employability.

Malta aims to work towards Council Conclusions on its theme, in order to promote inclusion in diversity in formal, informal and non-formal education through the provision of equitable and diverse learning routes. Malta also intends to maintain its commitment to continue to work on the trio programme in terms of modernising education systems and facilitating transitions between educational levels and between education and the world of work.

The HLG meeting will also discuss the New Skills Agenda for Europe , which was adopted by the Commission on 10 June. During its Presidency, Malta will continue the work that has been carried out during the Slovak Presidency.

The New Skills Agenda for Europe is an important milestone in further facilitating the mobility of workers and students in Europe. Although each EU Member State is responsible for its own education and training systems, the HLG meeting provides an opportunity for education experts from all the Member States to exchange and share their views on this topic.