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51 Country Overviews

Malta  

Author(s)

  • Lina Kestemont, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences & Arts

Abstract

In the last decade, Maltese policymakers have increased their awareness on the importance of early childhood education and care (ECEC) for prospective (lifelong) learning. In this respect, their awareness for social and emotional skills (SES) development during early childhood has also been growing. The Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health of the University of Malta plays an important role in both research and (educational) projects on SES development in educational settings. With respect to early childhood education, RESCUR is a good practice.The Early Years Cycle established by the Maltese Ministry for Education and Employment (MEDE) covers the educational cycle from 0 to 7 years of age: non-compulsory childcare (0-3 years), non-compulsory Kindergarten (3-5 years) and the first two years of compulsory primary education (5-7 years). The regulation of Early Childhood Education and Care is the responsibility of the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education, which is part of the Ministry for Education and Employment (Sollars, 2017).

References

  • Camilleri, S., Caruana, A., & Falzon, R. (2012). The promotion of emotional literacy through Personal and Social Development: the Maltese experience. Pastoral Care in Education. 30(1), 19-37.
  • Cefai, C., Miljević-Riđički, R., & Matsopoulos, A. (2015). RESCUR: Surfing the Waves. A Resilience Curriculum for Early Years and Primary Schools. A Teacher’s Guide. https://www.rescur.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/English-manual.pdf
  • Cefai, C. Arlove, A., & Duca, M. (2018). RESCUR Surfing the Waves: an evaluation of a resilience programme in the early years. Pastoral Care in Education, 23(3), 189-204.
  • Cefai, C., Downes P, & Cavoini, V. (2021). A formative, inclusive, whole-school approach to the assessment of social and emotional education in the EU. Analytical report, European Commission. Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.
  • Ministry for Education. Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education. (2021). National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years). https://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents/MFED%20National%20Standards%20ECEC%20Oct21.pdf
  • Ministry for Employment, Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education. (2021), Early Childhood Education and Care. National Policy Framework for Malta and Gozo. https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MEDE/Documents/NPF%20Early%20Childhood%20Education%20and%20Care.pdf
  • Ministry of Education and Employment. (2019), A National Inclusive Education Framework. https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MEDE/Documents/MEDE_Inclusion_Framework_A4_v2.pdf
  • Ministry for Education and Employment, Directorate for Quality and Standards (2015). Educator’s guide for Pedagogy and Assessment. Toolkit for the Early Years Cycle.
  • Ministry for Education and Employment. (2014). A Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Early School Leaving in Malta. https://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents%202014/School%20Leaving%20in%20Malta%20June%202014.pdf
  • Ministry for Education and Employment. (2013). Early childhood education & care in Malta: The way forward,
  • https://education.gov.mt/en/documents/public%20consultations/white%20paper.pdf
  • National Curriculum Framework for All. https://curriculum.gov.mt/en/resources/the-ncf/documents/ncf.pdf
  • Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity and Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment. (2006). National Standards for Child Day Care Facilities. https://education.gov.mt/en/childcareservices/Documents/booklet_standard_cdc_facilities_en.pdf
  • Sollars, V. (2017). Malta. ECEC Workforce Profile. In P. Oberhuemer & I. Schreyer (eds.). Workforce Profiles in Systems of Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. http://www.seepro.eu/English/pdfs/MALTA_ECEC%20Workforce.pdf

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CO-138-Malta.pdf