Maltese National Education Strategy 2024-2030

Strategies and Action Plans

The National Education Strategy 2024-2030 is a forward-looking blueprint designed to transform the Maltese education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The strategy is rooted in a vision of fostering continuous improvement and innovation within education, ensuring that the system is responsive to the evolving needs of students, educators, and society as a whole. The strategy’s goals extend beyond the year 2030, with strategic foresight that looks ahead to the year 2050.

Strategic orientation and the three pillars

1. Wellbeing

This pillar focuses on the holistic well-being of both educators and students, recognising that a healthy, supportive educational environment is essential for effective learning and teaching.

  • Educators’ well-being:
    • The strategy acknowledges the increasing demands on educators, including diverse classroom dynamics and the challenges posed by social media. It aims to provide robust support mechanisms to improve job satisfaction and mental well-being among educators.
    • Specific initiatives include the creation of an engagement program to bridge gaps between educators and senior management, conducting needs analyses for targeted support, and the introduction of a well-being program specifically designed for educators.
    • The strategy also includes measures to reduce administrative burdens on educators, offer professional development opportunities, and promote a more supportive work environment.
  • Students’ well-being:
    • The strategy recognises the interconnectedness of physical, socio-emotional, mental, and digital well-being. It aims to address challenges such as rising obesity rates, mental health issues, and the impact of digital consumption on students.
    • Initiatives include strengthening the links between schools, families, and communities through programs like the Family-Community-School Link Programme, enhancing mental health services, and promoting social relationships and self-esteem among students.
    • The strategy also emphasises the importance of digital literacy and digital citizenship, aiming to equip students with the skills needed to navigate the digital world responsibly.

2. Growth and empowerment

This pillar is centred on educational achievement but expands the traditional concept to include the development of a wide range of skills necessary for success in the modern world.

  • Curriculum development:
    • The strategy calls for a comprehensive review of the National Curriculum Framework to ensure it meets future needs, with a focus on reducing content overload, promoting deep learning, and fostering critical thinking.
    • It also includes a National Assessment Strategy that balances summative and continuous assessment, providing varied tools to assess students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
  • Holistic education:
    • The strategy emphasises the importance of developing students’ 21st-century skills, including digital and media literacy, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.
    • It aims to create a curriculum that integrates Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a cross-curricular theme, promoting sustainability, global citizenship, and environmental stewardship.
    • The strategy also seeks to offer accredited after-school programs, alternative learning pathways, and vocational training to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have opportunities to succeed.

3. Equity and inclusion

This pillar focuses on ensuring that all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have equal access to quality education.

  • Inclusive education:
    • The strategy includes a thorough review of the current inclusion model, with the goal of developing a more sustainable approach that meets the needs of today’s diverse classrooms.
    • Initiatives include providing additional support for students with learning difficulties, revising the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process, and offering alternative programs for students with disabilities.
  • Addressing inequalities:
    • The strategy recognises the impact of social inequalities on education, particularly in light of challenges like the digital divide and migration. It emphasises the need for data-driven approaches to understand and address these disparities.
    • Specific measures include improving data collection and analysis to better understand the needs of different student groups, and integrating AI technologies for policy development and strategic planning.
    • The strategy also includes initiatives to reduce absenteeism, support adult learners at risk, and provide reskilling and upskilling opportunities through lifelong learning programs.

Implementation and monitoring

The National Education Strategy 2024-2030 outlines a detailed framework for implementation, including ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the strategy remains responsive to changing needs and circumstances. The strategy emphasises collaboration among policymakers, educators, parents, and the wider community, with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.