Migrants face difficulties enrolling at educational institutions, either because of administrative delays or lack of recognition of previous learning.

To avoid this, Minister for European Affairs and Equality Helena Dalli proposed the setting up of registration one-stop shops in educational institutions and at various levels, tasked specifically with bringing under one roof the solutions which migrants require to start their classes without delay.

She was addressing a national conference on immigration and education, during which she highlighted several changes that can be introduced to facilitate the integration of migrants into Malta’s education system.

To prevent isolation or bullying of students, Minister Dalli spoke about the introduction of cultural mediators and interpreters to fill in the gaps until persons could act within a comfort zone and forge friendships that allow them to get on with their age-appropriate socialisation skills.

With the assistance of funds allocated to the Human Rights and Integration Directorate, the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality will be opening courses at MCAST in Maltese, English and Cultural Orientation. Furthermore, Stage 2 courses in Maltese and Cultural Orientation at the University of Malta, are being redesigned in line with the government’s integration strategy and action plan launched earlier this year.

The conference was organised by the Office of the Pro-Rector for Student and Staff Affairs together with Outreach, the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, the Faculty of Education, and the Ministry for Education and Employment.