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Education
Yes, the law states that the carers are to give their decision in all matters related to their children’s education.
More information can be obtained from:
The National School Support Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno, Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 25983494
Email: studentservices.mede@gov.mt
Website: https://education.gov.mt/en/education/student-services/Pages/default.aspx
Heads of School and their assistants, Head of Department (Inclusion), teachers, learning support educators (LSEs), guidance teachers, counsellors and social workers, psychologist and other members of the College psychosocial team, medical specialist (doctor or paediatrician) can guide you to meet the education needs of your child.
For more information for students attending public schools, you may contact:
National School Support Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno
Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 2598 3489 / 25983423 / 2598 3421
Email: studentservices.mede@gov.mt
For more information for students attending Church schools, you may contact:
Educational Services for Church Schools
Secretariat for Catholic Education
16, The Mall
Floriana FRN 1472
Tel: 21241281
Email: info@maltadiocese.org
Students attending private schools should contact the individual private school for more information.
This depends largely on the age of the child. If the student is of primary school age, he or she may go to San Miguel Resource Centre at Pembroke. If the student is of secondary school age, he or she may attend either Guardian Angel Resource Centre in Hamrun or Helen Keller Resource Centre in Qrendi and if the student is a young adult (age 16+) he or she may attend Helen Keller Resource Centre, or Manwel Attard Resource Centre in Wardija. If you live in Gozo, students of all ages attend the Sannat Special Centre (which is now also called Resource Centre).
More information can be obtained from:
The National School Support Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno, Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 25983494
Email: studentservices.mede@gov.mt
Website: https://education.gov.mt/en/education/student-services/Pages/default.aspx
The procedure for the provision of a LSE is the following (referral is only done through the school):
The procedure is that if there is a disability or difficulty on enrolling at school the child may be referred directly to the Statementing Moderating Panel. If the child is already attending school, the challenges encountered are discussed with the school to ensure that all support services are exhausted. If challenges are still present in spite of all strategies and services in place, then the school will request a psychological assessment (obtained either from private practitioners, through the Child Development Assessment Unit (CDAU) or the School Psychological Services). The Head of School where the child is attending or is about to start attending, and other practitioners, will be asked to fill in a referral form. This form has to be signed by the parents, Head of Department (Inclusion) and the Head of School.
The Statementing Moderating Panel will take the necessary decision after holding a meeting with you, the school personnel and other persons working with your child. The Panel will inform you, the Head of School with its recommendations which may include the provision of the service of LSE. A LSE can be assigned to your child either on a full-time, shared support or shared in the same class support.
More information can be obtained from:
The National School Support Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno, Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 25983494
Email: studentservices.mede@gov.mt.
The School Psychological Services have the same contact details as the National Support services.
The CDAU can be contacted as follows:
Triq Zammit Clapp, Tal-Pietà
Tel 25951780/25951803
The National School Support Services have various services addressed to meet the various needs of students with disability. These are:
- Access to Communication and Technology Unit (ACTU)
A multidisciplinary team provides assessment and training to disabled students on equipment that they can use to have a better education, to communicate and to solve problems that they can face in daily living and social activities (e.g. alternative ways of using a computer, the use of remote control to open doors, and trials of software such as voice recognition). You can ask for this service by filling a referral form that can be downloaded from:https://education.gov.mt/en/education/student-services/Pages/Special_Education/Access-to-Communication–Technology-Unit-(ACTU).aspx
- Early Childhood Intervention
This service provides support to children in the first five years of their lives who have developmental disabilities or delays, in order to minimise delays and maximise the personal development of the child. It also provides support as early as possible to the families / carers of these children in their respective homes / child care centres and schools. You can ask for this service by filling a referral form that can be downloaded from: https://education.gov.mt/en/education/student-services/Pages/Special_Education/Early-Childhood-Intervention.aspx
- Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) specialist
This service offers support to schools to use positive behaviour strategies, when dealing with students who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and as a last resort offer the child the temporary support of a Learning Support Centre. He/she will then work with the teacher/s and LSE (if any) in class to design and develop a set of strategies and devise a behaviour modification plan to support learner in his educational experience. He/she will also support the school in the implementation of such strategies. The SEBD will also work closely with practitioners from the college’s psycho social team and works closely with the Nurture Groups and Learning Support Zones. In the meantime, the SEBD will actively communicate with the Education Officer (Inclusion) supporting the college with regards to the progress of the learner. Referrals can be made through the Head of School / his or her delegate, or the Head of Department (Inclusion) with the consent of the parents / carers. The SEBD specialist also works closely with the Nurture Groups and the Learning Support Zones to ensure that the most appropriate programme is tailored for these students.
- Learning Support Centres
These Centres offer temporary and structured programmes to learners with SEBD consisting of lessons in core subjects together with support in skills to learn more about their emotions, better manage their anger, believe more in themselves and other social skills. The learners have a specialised programme to follow and support them in managing their challenging behaviour according to their needs. The main aim is to reintegrate them into their classgradually, depending on their behaviour. Referrals can be made through the Head of School (or his/her delegate) or the Head of Department (Inclusion)with the consent of the parents / carers.
More information can be found at: https://eduservices.gov.mt/en/special-education-and-resourcelearning-support-centres/learning-support-centres-lsc
- Learning Support Zones and Nurture Groups
Learning Support Zones (in secondary schools) and Nurture Groups (in primary schools) provide eligible learners the required support to help them remain engaged in mainstream education. They provide them with the social and emotional lerning an resilience skills, to enable them in their academic and social activities. Referrals can be made by the Head of School, Head of Department (Inclusion) or the classroom teacher or other College support practitioners with the consent of the parents.
- Autism Spectrum Support Team
This team supports parents, teachers and LSEs in regular or special schools to meet the educational needs of students with autism to learn, to develop and to manage their behaviour. Referrals can be through the school with the consent of the parent.
- Services for Hearing Impaired Students
Peripatetic teachers support students of all ages and pre-school children who have a hearing loss, in the home (in the case of pre-school children) and at mainstream schools.. These teachers also provide advice and support to parents, and educators. Students can also have audological testing and are taught how to take care of heir hearing aids. Referrals can be made through the schools with the parents’ consent.
- Services for Visually Impaired Students
Peripatetic teachers provide support to students with visual impairment,so that they can learn, integrate in the school and in society. These teachers help these students in specific skills such learning to write and to touch type, teach Braille and give advice to educators on the necessary changes that need to be done, such as handouts, workbooks and books in large print and oter strategies in class so that the child can access the curriculum. They also provide advice and support to parents, classroom teachers and LSEs. Referrals can be made through the school with the parents’ consent.
The National School Support Services offer other services that can also be used by students with disabilities such as:
- Hospital Classes
Students who are hospitalised for a relatively long period of time at Mater Dei or at the Young People’s Unit in Mount Carmel Hospital are provided with classes in Maths, Maltese and English, so that, as far as possible, they can continue with their education. Referrals can be made through the teachers and the hospital managerial staff.
- Home Tuition
Students who, for medical reasons, cannot attend school, are provided with lessons in Maths, Maltese and English, so that these students can continue with their education. They have to be between the age of 5 and 16. They are also helped to reintegrate in school at the appropriate time. Referrals can be made through the school, provided they have the parents’ consent, together with relevant medical certificates.
- Youth Work
Youth workers help young students, through informal education and work with adolescents, to develop their full potential and prepare themselves to adult life. They also participate in programmes for students with challenging behaviour.
- Counselling Services
School counsellors support students in developing their full potential through personal counselling and therapy, referring students to other services and supporting other school staff and parents. Counsellors liaise and collaborate with other professionals for the wellbeing of the students. They support families, school personnel and all stakeholders who work with the students. Referrals can be made by the parents or the students themselves or head of schools, teacher, social workers or other professionals.
- Educational, Vocational and Career Guidance
These guidance services support students to develop their full potential and offer guidance in the subjects and career they wish to pursue. They also support students in their transition from primary to secondary education and from secondary education to post-secondary education or to work.
- School Psychological Service
This service offers support to the schools and to individual students. Services for schools can be consultation or training. Services for individual students are offered following concerns raised by individual students or their parents or their teachers / educators. Once particular needs of individual students are identified through consultation and assessments, the services provided can include support, advice and therapy.
- School Social Work Service
This service provides a link between the school, the home and the community wherever necessary; supports and guides students who are habitual absentees; and serve as their advocates whenever needed. This service provides assistance to these families. It also supports and guides students on personal matters, including stigmatisation, labelling, scapegoating, bullying, substance abuse, challenging behaviour and relationship difficulties.
Aġenzija Sapport also provides the service of Maltese Sign Language Interpretation to students who have a hearing impairment and need to access the curriculum via sign language.
For other educational services funded by the Ministry for Education and Employment (MEDE) but provided by other entities, please contact the National School Support Services.
More information can be obtained from:
The National School Support Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno, Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 25983494
Email: studentservices.mede@gov.mt
Interpreting Services of Aġenzija Sapport
Triq Patri G. Azzopardi, Santa Venera
Tel/SMS: 79005988;
Email: sli.sapport@gov.mt
The University of Malta, through the MATSEC Board and the ACCESS-Disability Support Committee (ADSC) offers examination access arrangements to students with disabilities according to their impairments/medical conditions/specific learning difficulties Examination access arrangements for MATSEC examinations (Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) including vocational subjects (VET), and Secondary Education Applied Certificate (SEAC) and Matriculation Examinations) enable students with disabilities to sit for them on an equal basis as others. Requests considered by the ADSC may include extra time that may also be used as supervised rest breaks or settling down period to complete the exam, alternative venue, enlarged exam paper, voice activated computer, word processor, , relative on call, permission to use the toilet frequently, handwriting consideration, reader, communicator, practical assistant or prompter. However, other types of arrangements will also be considered, each on its own merit. Decisions take into account the student’s support needs and the assessment objectives of the examination in question.
Applicants have to fill in the General Application Form and either form B, C, or D, according to the impairment, together with other documentation indicated. These are to be handed in or sent by registered post to the MATSEC Support Unit, University of Malta, L-Imsida, by not later than the stipulated deadline published on https://www.um.edu.mt/matsec and on https://exams.gov.mt. These forms are available from here: https://www.um.edu.mt/matsec/Access
Applicants who do not agree with decisions taken by the ADSC can, within thirty days, refer their case with added evidence to the Board of Referral (BoR) within the Office of the Pro-Rector (Academic Affairs). The BoR decides if the case is admissible or not and if it is, the case is referred back to the ADSC for reconsideration and final decision.
More information can be obtained from the University of Malta publication “Guidelines to MATSEC Examinations Access Arrangements” that can be downloaded from the links indicated below; and from:
MATSEC Support Unit
University of Malta, L-Imsida
Tel: 23402240 or 23402813
Email: access.matsec@um.edu.mt
You should discuss your concerns with the school administration. Students can be given Access Arrangements only if clearly stated in the professional report presented to the school by the parents and/or after being assessed by a person appointed by the School Psychological Service and/or any other professional body.
For more information for students attending public schools, you may contact:
Education Psycho-Social Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno
Il-Ħamrun
Tel: 2598 3489 / 25983423 / 2598 3421
Email: studentsupportservices.mede@gov.mt
For more information for students attending Church schools, you may contact:
Educational Services for Church Schools
Secretariat for Catholic Education
16, The Mall,
Floriana FRN 1472
Tel: 21241281
Email: info@maltadiocese.org
The University of Malta, including the Junior College, has the ACCESS-Disability Support Unit (ADSU) that supports students with disability, including those who have impairments, medical conditions or specific learning difficulties, to continue their studies in these institutions. University regulations have been adapted to make it more accessible to these students. The University also provides exam arrangements, both for MATSEC and its internal exams, according to the needs of persons with disability. A large part of the University campus is physically accessible to all, including persons with disability. The University also provides sign language interpreting for Deaf students, scanning services for blind students, and the services of an occupational therapist. The University strives to provide tailor-made support to its students with disability. It is therefore important for disabled students to approach the ADSU as soon as they have decided to continue their education with the University.
More information can be obtained from the University publication “The University of Malta Access Arrangements” that can be downloaded, together with relevant forms, from https://www.um.edu.mt/access/about.
More information can be obtained from:
ACCESS-Disability Support Unit
Room 109, Old Humanities Building, University of Malta, L-Imsida
Tel: 23402557
Email: adsu@um.edu.mt
Website: https://www.um.edu.mt/access
MCAST’s Inclusive Education Unit provides the necessary support to its disabled students. A student can ask for such support by making an appointment with the inclusion co-ordinator prior to applying for a course at MCAST. A confidential interview will be held to assess and discuss the needs of that student and how the College can support him / her. Support is optional and following the student’s consent. Information provided is strictly confidential.
More information can be obtained from:
Inclusive Education Unit
MCAST Main Campus, Raħal Ġdid
Tel: 23987127
Email: inclusiveducation@mcast.edu.mt
Website: http://www.mcast.edu.mt
Students with intellectual or learning disability can apply to follow the Pathway Course offered by MCAST. This is a two-year full-time course aimed at helping these students gain and maintain employment. During the first year, students of this course are encouraged to participate in a one day a week supervised placement, the first year within the college itself and during the second year at different workplaces. This course offers many hands-on opportunities of learning in all subjects. Applicants need to have basic literacy and numeracy skills, able to follow a course in a classroom environment and willing to take up employment after finishing this course. Entry requirement for this course are: school leaving certification showing that the applicant has completed compulsory education; a psychological report which cannot be more than three years old; medical or psychiatric reports when indicated; and school reports including the last Individual Education Plan (IEP). This course is offered at MCAST main campus in Raħal Ġdid and MCAST Gozo Centre in Għajnsielem.
More information can be obtained from:
MCAST
Main Campus, Raħal Ġdid
Email: pathway@mcast.edu.mt
Website: http://www.mcast.edu.mt
The Endeavour Scholarships Scheme (offering scholarships to people pursuing tertiary education) administered by the Ministry for Education and Employment, offers special arrangements for persons with disability who do not have any possibility of following a full or part-time programme / course owing to their disability. Applicants have to be registered with the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) and be in possession of a Special ID Card (SID) / EU Disability Card.
For more information, please contact:
Scholarships Unit (Ministry for Education and Employment)
Great Siege Road
Floriana
Tel: 25982111
Email: myscholarship@gov.mt
Website: https://education.gov.mt/en/education/myScholarship/Pages/ENDEAVOUR%20Scholarship%20Scheme.aspx
There is a free public transport arrangement to all mainstream schools (including public and Church schools). The transport for specialised schools is free of charge and they are normally supervised. At the time of writing, discussions are ongoing for all school transport to be supervised.
For more information you can contact:
Education Logistics and Support Unit – School Transport Section
Tel: 25981887
Website: www.education.gov.mt
You may wish to read the Guidelines on Sexuality and Relationships Education in Maltese Schools (December, 2013) issued by the Ministry for Education and Employment. You can either liaise with the teacher who is tackling the topic in class such as the PSD teacher, or with the Head of Department (Inclusion) and the Learning Support Educator (LSE).
The Guidelines may be accessed through the following link: https://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents%202014/Guidelines%20on%20Sexuality%20booklet.pdf
