Heritage Malta launches the Student Membership Scheme

Heritage Malta, with the collaboration of the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government and the Ministry for Education and Employment, proudly launches the Student Membership Scheme.

The official launching of the Heritage Malta Student Membership Scheme was held at Vendome Bastion in the lower part of Fort St Elmo by Owen Bonnici, Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Government, in the presence of Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, Dr Joseph M. Buttigieg, Chairman Heritage Malta and Mr Kenneth Gambin, CEO Heritage Malta.

The Heritage Malta Student Membership Scheme targets students at Primary level and will serve as a test case for future projects. The scheme provides free entrance to primary school students in Heritage Malta sites (except for the Hypogeum) and offers 50% discount on the entrance fee to up to two adults accompanying the student. The Heritage Malta Student Membership Scheme is valid for one year, renewable as applicable.

Details of this scheme were passed on to the students at the end of last scholastic year and more than 4,000 applications have registered so far.

Dr Owen Bonnici said that this is another initiative to promote Maltese cultural heritage and will encourage the general public to gain access and knowledge about their nation’s history.

‘’It is very important to instil interest and encourage students from very young age to get to know about the history and the cultural heritage of their country. This initiative will help students find out more about their culture and even though it is not part of the curriculum. Apart from that this scheme can improve the family bond as it can serve as an ideal family recreational activity’’.

Chris Agius reiterated that informal and non formal education shall be given priority too and the Government, through Agenzija Zghazagh, is looking to create several opportunities to youths to enhance their knowledge. ‘’Youths must be encouraged to seize every opportunity and urge them to capitalize on every opportunity they encounter’’.

Mr Agius praised this initiative as it is on the same wavelength and enhance the Government’s national policy for Youths.

All those who are interested can register online. Applications can be found on Heritage Malta’s official website, www.heritagemalta.org.