The government believes that continuous learning even after the end of compulsory education is of “profound importance”, according to Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment. Over the years, the number of lifelong courses offered has not only increased but improved, as 7,000 adults attended such courses during the past academic year, Mr Bartolo believes.

Lifelong learning courses marked Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) are recognised by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE). These programmes include essential skills which aim to improve basic reading, writing, maths and computer skills; language learning in 11 different languages, offered at MQF level 1 and 2, SEC and A-Level; improving educational and career prospects; healthy living; and creative expression. Lifelong learning offers courses which cater to different learning needs.

Today’s world is continuously changing and so, the pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also sustainability, competitiveness and employability, notes Mr Bartolo.

The courses will be held at the eight Lifelong Learning centres, in 27 local councils and 17 NGOs. Applications for courses commencing in October 2019 until January 2020 or May 2020, will be open from 17 July until 7 August 2019.

Information related to the courses and applications may be found on the Lifelong Learning website.

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With the help of these Blockcerts, academic credentials such as diplomas, school leaving certificates, and transcripts will be issued to Maltese students in an internationally portable, instantly verifiable digital format, the statement says. Educational institutions will also continue to receive official accreditation certificates on the blockchain for instant verification of status.

Current progress comes after MEDE and three educational institutions: the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST), the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), and the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) completed a national pilot of Blockcerts blockchain credentials.

“In 2017, we said Malta should become ‘the blockchain island’. And it has. Malta is leading its peers when it comes to emerging technologies and digital innovation,” Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said during his address when the progress was announced.

The Ministry for Education partnered with Learning Machine in 2017 to launch a pilot project where academic credentials were issued using blockchain as a secure anchor of trust. Among other recipients of this pilot project, students at ITS and MCAST were presented their credentials on blockchain during their respective graduation ceremonies, the DOI statement reminds.

“What we are doing today is another small step in fulfilling the challenge set to us by our prime minister to be amongst the first in Europe but the world. But in order to do that, we need economic growth, social justice, education, and technology to be able to have practical visions where we set ourselves ambitious objectives and work hard to meet them,” said Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo.

Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri said that the time is ripe to translate what was garnered from this pilot project onto a national level. “Our future generations will be the fortunate beneficiaries of today’s momentous signing,” the finance minister said.

Minister Schembri added that as of October 2019 new specialised Master courses will open focusing on Blockchain and DLT in Business and Finance, Law and Regulation, and Information and Communication Technology.

The Ministry for Education and Employment Permanent Secretary Francis Fabri and Learning Machine Technologies President and Chief Operation Officer Dan Hughes sealed the agreement. Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima were also present during the press conference.

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Agribusiness and four other vocational subjects were added to the secondary school curriculum in the 2015-2016 academic year, for both state and non-state (church and independent, respectively) institutions. The subjects are optional for students from From 3 to Form 5, and are accrited as SEC qualifications by the Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate (MATSEC) Examinations Board.

Currently 74 students are enrolled in studying SEC Agribusinesses, the DOI press statement says. Under the recently signed agreement, all students in Forms 3, 4 and 5 studying SEC and SEAC Agribusiness will have the opportunity to carry out the practical tasks of the agribusiness syllabus at the field/farm premises. The current partnership is scheduled to be launched as of the start of the 2019-2020 academic year, according to the press statement.

Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo believes Malta has to make efforts in attracting more of the youth to the agriculture industry, in order to enhance the sustainable development of the archipelago. The current programme is based on work-integrated learning and exposes students to practical knowledge for the young age, while also improves their intellectual abilities and makes them more employable, the press statement says. Parliament Secretary Clifton Grima adds that the initiative provides additional resources to the country’s educational system.

“Today, after reaching an agreement with the hotel industry and tying up the hospitality curriculum with the industry, we are celebrating another step in the right direction, that of reaching an agreement with the industry of agribusiness,” says Permanent Secretary Frank Fabri. “Through ‘My Journey’, there will be parity of esteem between all subjects and all programmes will be inclusive and equitable,” Mr Fabri adds.

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