Malta’s Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation National School Support Services (NSSS) organised a conference examining the implementation of Malta’s Inclusion Policy and Framework.
The conference, entitled ‘Embarking on the Route Towards Quality Inclusion: Implementation of the Inclusion Policy and Framework’, took place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta, on 6 February 2023. It welcomed speakers from across Malta and Europe and included presentations and practical workshops. Over 350 head teachers, senior leadership representatives and other educators from schools and education services across Malta attended.
The event was opened by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima, the Permanent Secretary, Matthew Vella, and the Director General of Education Services, Emile Vassallo.
Josanne Ghirxi, Director of the NSSS and Agency Representative Board member, gave an overview of the Inclusive Education Policy and its use in schools in Malta.
Brendan Doody from the Department of Education and Skills in Ireland was a keynote speaker. He spoke about inclusive education in Ireland and the allocation model.
NSSS Education Officers Maria Pace and Jonathan Camenzuli discussed the implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy and provided an overview of the Inclusive Education Framework, respectively.
The Agency’s Assistant Director, Amanda Watkins, presented the Agency’s Key Principles for supporting policy development and implementation for inclusive education and considered how these key principles align with the Maltese education system.
The conference also outlined a potential future audit of the Maltese education system. This will aim to support Maltese stakeholders to reflect on the progress made since the last audit in 2014 and help to identify next steps for their inclusive education policy and practice.
Following the speakers, attendees were invited to participate in a series of practical workshops. Workshop topics covered a range of aspects of inclusive education, such as supporting positive behaviour, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ learners, attendance, diversity, and healthy lifestyles in schools.
More information on the conference and the Inclusion Policy and Framework is available on the Maltese government website and the NSSS Facebook page.
