At the ALP Vocational Creative Centre in Paola, educators focus on integrating students into the educational system and giving them a good preparation for employability after secondary school.
This is being achieved by offering a different curriculum. Apart from the core subjects of Maltese, Maths and English, and supplementary ones such as ICT, personal, social and career development, religion, physical education and home economics, students have the option to study two vocational subjects.
Currently 21 vocational subjects are being offered, which can be grouped under three pillars: engineering (auto-mechanics, welding and fabrication, carpentry, basic engineering, building services and trades, electrical installation, basic electronics and plumbing); services (hairdressing, hospitality, care work, beauty and personal care, textile studies, paper making and book binding, customer care and sales and agribusiness and gardening); and the performing arts (art and design, drama, music, pottery and ceramics, multimedia and ICT applications and sport.
The centre’s staff strive to give students another chance to learn, express themselves, improve, integrate and form part of a scholastic community. The programme covers not only the theory of the subjects but includes hands-on training in workshops and labs.
The centre also offers students the opportunity to set foot outside school and experience learning and training with entrepreneurs in industries such as cars, carpentry, welding, hospitality, care work, library services, basic engineering, plumbing and electrical installation. Short accredited courses such as basic first aid, food handling and outdoor adventure are also offered.
A recent health week incorporated a community health fest – an initiative to help students improve their health and lifestyle. The aim was to approach the students in a more holistic manner.
“Their necessities go beyond the traditional realms of the educational system. We strongly feel that the way forward is to provide them with information on lifestyle choices as a means of increasing their social welfare, enhancing their health and, ultimately, their employability,” said a staff member.
Health information on lifestyle was passed on to the students during the week with the hope that this could provide them with the appropriate tools for improving their choices for a better personal and social way of life.
A campaign entitled ‘Yes, I want to be healthy’, managed by the Education, Energy and Health, and Family and Social Solidarity ministries, also kicked off. This was supported by the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the University of Malta and the Directorate for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Sedqa’s prevention team and other agencies also contributed.
The school’s administrative staff, teachers and learning support assistants held concurrent learning sessions for the students. Various health aspects were addressed and a number of issues raised through interactive sessions, aimed at adopting a healthy lifestyle and implementing them through practical sessions.
Health week also focused on issues related to promoting a healthy lifestyle and this aspect was embedded in most subjects. Sessions included healthy eating, quitting smoking, the economic and biological cost of smoking and ill health, anti-bullying and anti-drug events and physical activity.
“Youths’ actions reflect the attitudes, values and norms of their surrounding environment. Some are privileged in being born and raised in positive and healthy environments. Others aren’t so lucky,” a staff member remarked.
The centre believes it is its duty to provide underprivileged students with the necessary tools and information for a healthy lifestyle and a life of good health.