SEC and MATSEC exams costs to be halved in 2018, completely removed in 2019
Investment in teachers
Together with the Malta Union of Teachers, the government is committed to creating a new sectoral agreement for the benefit of teachers.
National Board for Obligatory Education
A National Board for Obligatory Education will be created next year which will consist of representatives from different schools, the MUT, the Teacher’s Council, parents and the industry and will act as a consultative body.
Services for children with autism
A pilot project will be introduced offering new services for children with autism. The government will see that school environments are suitable for children with autism. Learning Support Assistants, teachers and staff will be provided with psycho-social services to learn more about the school realities. More state schools will have multi-sensory rooms.
SEC and MATSEC exam prices halved
Prices for SEC and MATSEC exams will be halved for those applying for the exams next year. They will be completely removed in 2019.
Masters and PhD tax exemption
The government will be offering tax exemption for master’s degrees and PhD students under the age of 40, following their courses, for a maximum of two years after the course ends. The course cannot form part of the curriculum needed for the profession in order to exercise the profession. Master’s students are tax exempt for a year, while PhD students are tax exempt for two years, for an income up to maximum €60,000, through tax credits. Those on a part-time course will benefit pro-rata. The benefit will begin from the academic year 2017/2018.
Four new schools
The government will build four new schools while improve the ones already built. One of the new schools, built in Wied ilGħajn, will be inaugurated next year. Works on the other three will continue in Qawra, Imsida and Rabat, Gozo. The schools will include new facilities, such as multi-purpose halls, childcare centers and others.
Vocational subjects
More vocational subjects will be introduced within schools under the title ‘My Journey: Achieving through different paths’. The government will invest in laboratories and new workshops for a minimum of nine subjects.
Better ancillary services in state schools
Ancillary services in schools linked with cleanliness and hospitality will be strengthened. Services in state schools will be standardised, so that all the schools will have the same service.
‘One Tablet Per Child’ initiative continued
The ‘One Tablet Per Child’ initiative will continue this scholastic year, where students in year four and five in state schools, Church schools and independent schools will receive tablets.
Blockchain in education
Blockchain technology will be used for digital certificates from MCAST, NCFHE and ITS.
Apprendistat, ‘Klabb 3-16’
Apprendistat will continue with additional funding throughout the period. More centres offering the service of ‘Klabb 3-16’ will be opened.
Youth
The ‘Get Into’ scheme will continue, along with the ‘Prince’s Trust XL Programme’, where they will work while they are still under training.
Sport Commission for the commercialisation of sports facilities
A commission will be created with the scope of helping in sports organisations to invest in commercialising their facilities and benefiting financially, while decreasing chance of abuse.
New shooting range, indoor swimming pool, racing track
A new shooting range will be built, which will be ready for the international championship which will be hosted by Malta next year. The first phase of creating an indoor swimming pool in Cottonera will be undertaken. A road to be potentially used for car racing in Mtaħleb will also be done up. A football ground and swimming pool will be constructed in Wied il-Għajn.