Generally speaking, we thrive on agreeing to disagree on a number of issues. But there is one aspect where, at least, we should agree to agree. This is that education and training play a crucial role in meeting the many socio-economic, demographic, environmental and technological challenges facing our society today and in the years ahead.
Efficient investment in human capital through education and training systems lie at the heart of the Lisbon strategy. The aim is to deliver high levels of sustainable, knowledge-based growth and jobs. At the same time, we need to ensure personal fulfilment, social cohesion and active citizenship.
Education cannot stop at the age of 16; nor can people set themselves a target by when they will achieve knowledge saturation point. Learning has become lifelong - from the cradle to the grave.
One of the aims of the Directorate for Lifelong Learning within the Ministry of Education is to lift the barriers for participation in education and training to increase participation in adult learning. It also aims to address the imbalances in participation so as to achieve a more equitable state of affairs, to ensure the quality of adult learning, and to encourage more adults to be active citizens.
As one of the leading providers of adult education in Malta, the directorate currently offers 445 courses in Malta and 121 in Gozo.
Some 4,500 adults (of which 75 per cent are women) currently attend traditional evening classes and adult learning classes at Msida's Lifelong Learning Centre. Only 10 per cent are in the school-leaving age bracket. The largest number are in the 41+ age bracket.
Some 760 adults are attending IT-related courses. Just over 400 are in functional literacy and numeracy courses that are currently being co-ordinated with a number of local councils. It is a pity that there were no subscriptions for basic science courses.
Over 200 non-Maltese residents are attending basic Maltese and basic English courses. The gender ratio is 2:1 in favour of women.
The directorate is also responsible for the arts schools. The School of Art in Valletta and Għajnsielem, the Drama School in Blata l-Bajda and Nadur, and the School of Music in Valletta and Sannat are centres that face one big problem: there is not enough space to meet the demand. Currently there are 3,212 students attending these six schools.
The directorate has another important mission in society: to support an increasing number of students following undergraduate and postgraduate courses, thus increasing the availability and employment of high-level graduates in the priority sectors of Malta's knowledge-based economy.
Currently the directorate administers two scholarships schemes: the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarships scheme (Steps) and the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS).
Steps was launched last year. It is co-funded by the European Social Fund and will involve an investment of €10 million over five years, that is, until end of 2013. During the first three calls for applications, 627 were received; 180 scholarships were awarded in the first two calls, of which 37 were for doctoral programmes, and 79 scholarships were for masters or doctoral studies in the science and technology sector. Currently, interviews are being held for those who applied for the third call, which closed last month. A fourth call will be issued on May 1.
MGSS was launched in 2006. It is wholly-sponsored by the government to the tune of €466,000 and offers postgraduate scholarships. Last year 47 scholarships were awarded. Another sum is allocated for undergraduate courses, with 112 scholarships awarded last year.
The above figures speak volumes and should instil more confidence in those adults who so far have opted to stay aloof of learning.
There is a growing discussion about ways to increase the participation of adults in education and training during their lifetime. It is important that adults continue to learn to develop and upgrade their competences to meet the challenges of demographic change, and to invest in their personal development to create a sustainable society in the globalised economy.
The opportunities are there. What we all need is to convince ourselves it is always a good time to learn.
Mr Azzopardi is director, Lifelong Learning, at the Education Ministry's Directorate for Lifelong Learning.