Timeline
  • 2018Implementation
  • 2019Implementation
  • 2020Implementation
ID number
28427

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

To provide the best opportunities so that that each child can acquire the required literacy skills. The results obtained by Maltese students in international studies had mean reading scores below the international average.

Objectives

Goals and objectives of the policy development.

To help young children (six-year-olds) with literacy problems reach the level expected of them in reading and writing.

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

In order to improve basic skills in IVET, the National Literacy Agency (NLA) launched in September 2018 the Reading recovery (RR) training programme in collaboration with the university college London. The programme consists of 100 hours of individual sessions over 20 weeks. The sessions are provided by teachers trained specifically in the methodology of RR. The programme lends itself to adaptations to meet the individual needs of each student.

The programme includes the training of teachers in the RR methodology by the University College London. Two courses are available: a postgraduate course for teachers, and a master course for literacy support teachers and heads of the literacy department. Those attending the master course will be able to train other teachers. Some pupils from the first cohort are on their way out from the programme since they have reached the required level in reading (Level 17 of the PM benchmark literacy assessment) and new pupils are being enrolled.

2018
Implementation

The first cohort of 90 learners benefited from RR during the academic year 2018/19. By the end of that year, four of them dropped out, 86 finished the course; of these, 72 (84%) reached the expected level while the other 14 (16%) were referred for further assessment and other intervention programmes.

2019
Implementation

 

By June 2019, 15 complementary and literacy teachers completed the reading recovery (RR) teacher-training course while seven heads of department (HODs) and literacy support teachers finished the first year of the masters RR leader course.

During the academic year 2019/20, 32 new complementary and class teachers started the RR teacher course. The RR programme was offered in 33 primary schools and 220 Year 2 students have benefited from it.

2020
Implementation

From mid-March 2020 to June 2020, teacher training was delivered through synchronous and asynchronous online forums since schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the school lockdown that followed disrupted the implementation of the programme in the 33 reading recovery (RR) primary schools in Malta.

In December 2020, the NLA recommenced the RR programme. Only 33 RR teachers could be assigned to learners. The remaining 17 RR teachers were unable to implement the intervention programme as they were assigned normal teaching duties following a shortage of teaching staff in schools. The shortage reflected the COVID-19 mitigating guidelines issued by the public health authorities for schools.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • National Literacy Agency (NLA)
  • University College London

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

Modernising VET offer and delivery

This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.

The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.

This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.

Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.

Acquiring key competences

This thematic sub-category refers to acquisition of key competences and basic skills for all, from an early age and throughout their life, including those acquired as part of qualifications and curricula. Key competences include knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by all for personal fulfilment and development, employability and lifelong learning, social inclusion, active citizenship and sustainable awareness. Key competences include literacy; multilingual; science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM); digital; personal, social and learning to learn; active citizenship, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression (Council of the European Union, 2018).

Teachers, trainers and school leaders competences

Competent and motivated VET teachers in schools and trainers in companies are crucial to VET becoming innovative and relevant, agile, resilient, flexible, inclusive and lifelong.

This thematic category comprises policies and practices of initial training and continuing professional development approaches in a systemic and systematic manner. It also looks at measures aiming to update (entry) requirements and make teaching and training careers attractive and bring more young and talented individuals and business professionals into teaching and training. Supporting VET educators by equipping them with adequate competences, skills and tools for the green transition and digital teaching and learning are addressed in separate thematic sub-categories.

The measures in this category target teachers and school leaders, company trainers and mentors, adult educators and guidance practitioners.

Systematic approaches to and opportunities for initial and continuous professional development of school leaders, teachers and trainers

This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of initial and continuing professional development (CPD) for VET educators who work in vocational schools and in companies providing VET. VET educators include teachers and school leaders, trainers and company managers involved in VET, as well as adult educators and guidance practitioners – those who work in school- and work-based settings. The thematic sub-category includes national strategies, training programmes or individual courses to address the learning needs of VET educators and to develop their vocational (technical) skills, and pedagogical (teaching) skills and competences. Such programmes concern state-of-the-art vocational pedagogy, innovative teaching methods, and competences needed to address evolving teaching environments, e.g. teaching in multicultural settings, working with learners at risk of early leaving, etc.

Supporting teachers and trainers for and through digital

This thematic sub-category is in line with the EU policy focus on the digital transition, and refers to professional development and other measures to prepare and support teachers and trainers in teaching their learners digital skills and competences. It also covers measures and support for them to increase their own digital skills and competences, including for teaching in virtual environments, working with digital tools and applying digital pedagogies. Emergency measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic also fall into this sub-category.

European and international dimensions of VET

This thematic category covers both European and international cooperation in initial and continuing VET, aimed at promoting EU VET systems as a European education and training area and making it a reference for learners in neighbouring countries and across the globe.

Expanding opportunities and increasing participation of VET learners, young and adult, and staff in international mobility for learning and work, including apprenticeship and virtual and blended mobility, account for most initiatives in this thematic category.

Apart from established and financially supported EU cooperation, VET opens up to cooperation and promotion of European values and national practices beyond the EU, which is becoming a trend. This thematic category also encompasses internationalisation strategies, transnational cooperation projects and initiatives – including those where joint VET programmes, examinations and qualifications are developed – and  participation in international skills competitions that promote the image of VET. Using international qualifications – awarded by legally established international bodies or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body – in the national VET systems and recognising them towards national qualifications is also in focus.

Transnational VET initiatives, including joint VET programmes

This thematic sub-category refers to transnational cooperation initiatives on VET and lifelong learning, including coordinated and jointly developed programmes among the EU Member States or beyond the EU, bilateral or multi-country: same curricula, one qualification, joint examinations.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
IVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.

Country

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Practical measure/Initiative
Cite as
Cedefop and ReferNet (2023). Reading recovery (RR) training programme: Malta. Timeline of VET policies in Europe. [online tool] https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28427