College system to be explained

Education Minister Louis Galea will meet parents of male students starting secondary school next month to explain the new college system.

The 10 colleges around the island incorporate state primary and secondary schools. Secondary students go to the same school but follow different programmes according to their abilities.

Speaking to parents yesterday, Dr Galea said the setting up of colleges was one of the pillars of education reform. He reminded parents that the first colleges started operating in the 2005-2006 scholastic year, with another four starting last year.

He said the ministry had committed itself to build a number of schools and modernise others to create an environment conducive to learning. A new school in Qormi is expected to open next month, while the school in Verdala next year. Work on a secondary school in Mosta is expected to start in the coming months.

The government, he said, will also invest Lm50 million in a new campus for the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology, which is expected to double its intake in a few years' time.