Providing the best education possible

In my first article as Minister for Education and Employment back in January this year, I wrote about the importance of keeping in touch with all concerned in this vast but interesting and rewarding sector – education. I had emphasised that one of my priorities would be to give an ear to all stakeholders.

Iwanted to bridge the gap – if there was one – between the ministry’s seat in Floriana and all the schools and ministry’s entities spread across the islands. And by stakeholders, I also include what education is primarily all about – our school children.

During these months I visited schools across the island, met college principals and heads of schools and also in an informal manner the educators of the schools visited.

This week I had the first of a series of informal and agenda-free meetings with our educators. I started with St George Preca College where we had a very good online attendance and greatly appreciated the comments and suggestions of each and every one of our educators.

I confirmed how many dedicated educators we have, who go out of their way for the benefit of children and students and who are determined to continue to provide the best education while respecting the measures according to the health protocols.

I will continue with these meetings with all our educators, including also the Church and Independent Schools. I am very proud of the collective work of our educators.

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STEM Education is not only for the future of the education sector but also for the future of our economy because we want a sustainable economy, which continues to realize the tremendous potential that this country that we love has. To advance the use of science and technology, we must invest in our children, in the education of the science subjects given to our children. We must also help educators and open the door for more people, parents, and members of our communities to become lovers of science because these are subjects that are the pillar of the economic success that our country will go through.

A few months back I visited the Science Centre in Pembroke which is one of the annexe buildings within the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes (DLAP). The Centre hosts a number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Officers that are collectively responsible for the provision of quality STEM Education of all students from early years to Primary and Secondary.

This week I launched a campaign aimed at creating awareness on the importance of the furtherance of education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The campaign, entitled START STEM, is being piloted by the Science Centre within the Directorate for Learning & Assessment Programmes (DLAP).

As a government we are highly committed to strengthening STEM education on a national level. Through 3 main pillars: STEM Curricula reform, STEM

Educator Support and Professional Development, as well as STEM Popularization, we are aiming to enhance the education sector in relation to STEM.

This campaign aligns with our Ministry’s vision of providing quality STEM Education to all students, to sustain social, economic and environmental development on a global level. The campaign primarily targets students, their parents/guardians and the general public and features six clips that will be publicized through both social media ad television channels. The campaign START STEM promotes a positive, vibrant, energetic expression reflecting the dynamic nature of STEM studies and careers. The campaign strategy, design and production are the result of the professional work of the STEM Education Officers within the Science Centre.

STEM Education in Malta is evolving in the right direction as it enhances the curricular pedagogical shift to an enquiry-based approach that promotes learners’ engagement, learning and achievement. In this context, the role of trained professional teachers is pivotal to mentor and nurture the next generation of STEM innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. The extent of national priority and investment in STEM Education will eventually be reflected in the degree of innovation in society and in public economic prosperity.

This holistic initiative was cosponsored through GENE (Global Education Network Europe) project funding.

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This week I also launched the Malta Vocational Education and Training Awards a first, as it will be the first time that these awards are being organised in Malta.

The launch of the Malta VET Awards is aligned with the European Vocational Skills Week, organised each year by the European Commission and each Member State. The Malta VET Awards also mirror the VET Excellence Awards which are organised at European level each year. Maltese awardees can eventually be nominated for the European awards.

These awards provide a platform where good practice, innovation and excellent in VET is given a higher profile and improved visibility. Every year, the European Commission and each Member State organize events to celebrate vocational skills, give visibility to VET achievements, and also promote VET in general amongst the general public. This year is a bit different and will be based more on social media and with more emphasis on promotional campaigns rather than traditional gathering events.

Three categories and awards for 2020 will be awarded this year. These categories are meant to celebrate the experience of vocational education and training. I urge all those interested to forward their nominations.

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Despite the limitations and difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, MCAST is once again doing invaluable work to offer the student the opportunity to combine theory and practice. This is thanks to apprenticeship, where there are more than 1,500 students who going through this important experience.

Through the apprenticeship scheme the student can experience theory learnt in class in practise, in order to maximize his skills and potential whilst moving towards the work environment in a practical way.

We are in favour of having more apprenticeship schemes and more businesses to work hand in hand with us to give a better future to our students in the vocational field.

In all education spheres, we are committed to continue to help students in all that is necessary, by investing in them, but giving them opportunities and by easing their path from the school bench to the world of employment.