Immigrating to a new country is a daunting task for families and children alike. If a family has children over the age of 6, considerations regarding their education, such as where to settle and which school to attend, become paramount. In Malta, schools are divided into two main types: public schools and private schools.
Public Schools (State Schools)
There are many public schools in Malta, located in major towns across Malta and Gozo, which are free for all local students, including free books and a range of teaching supplies. The schools have a free bus system that transports students to and from school on time. However, parents are required to pay for items such as school uniforms.
Private Schools
In Malta, private schools are further divided into two categories: Church Schools and Independent Schools.
Both types of schools are regulated by the national education department and provide education from preschool to higher education, with similar curricula.
Church Schools: Generally, Church Schools are affiliated with the Catholic Church and have agreements with the government, with nuns and priests participating in teaching and school management. Nowadays, due to a decreasing number of clergy, most staff in Church Schools come from non-clerical backgrounds.
Independent Schools: In Malta, apart from public schools, independent schools represent another major type of school, including international schools that primarily serve foreign students studying in Malta. Independent schools, also referred to as private schools (international schools), are mostly British-style schools, with a few American-style schools, but they differ significantly from the commercialization, high profitability, and high tuition fees characteristic of the education systems in the UK and the USA. Private schools in Malta are all non-profit international schools, with fees considered quite affordable, ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 euros.
School Districts
Currently, Malta has divided its educational system into 11 district committees based on regional population density, with each district committee overseeing 3 to 5 schools, totaling over 340 schools nationwide, with an education resource ratio of 7:1, placing it among the world's leading levels.
Most teachers graduated from prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. Here, you can see students from various countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, France, Italy, Greece, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
Language Environment
As Malta is a bilingual country, both English and Maltese are taught as separate subjects, with specific arrangements varying by school. Generally, due to the higher number of Maltese students in public schools, Maltese is the primary language of instruction, while private schools primarily use English.
Curriculum Configuration
Malta's education system is recognized and highly regarded by the international community. It follows a British-style education system with a wide range of courses. The complete educational structure is divided into four stages: preschool (ages 3-5), primary school (ages 5-11), secondary school (ages 11-16), and university (higher education).
Public Primary Schools
* Ages 5-11, based on the principle of proximity for enrollment;
* Subjects studied: English, Maltese, Mathematics, Social Studies, Personal and Social Development, Arts, Physical Education, Religion;
* Assessment methods: regular tests in each subject, two major exams each year; mid-year exams are conducted by the school, and end-of-year exams are national standardized exams;
* National standardized entrance examination for junior secondary school (5 subjects): English, Maltese, Mathematics, Social Studies, Religion (optional).
Public Secondary Schools
* Ages 11-16, admission to junior colleges (equivalent to key secondary schools) is based on entrance exams; those who do not pass attend regular secondary schools;
* Compulsory subjects: English, Maltese, Religion, Mathematics, Science/Physics, Social Studies, Geography, History, Basic Computing, Second Foreign Language, Personal and Social Development, Arts, Physical Education;
* Elective subjects (at least one): Design, Technology, Economics, etc.;
* Assessment methods: regular tests in each subject, two major exams each year; mid-year exams are conducted by the school, and end-of-year exams are national standardized exams.
Private Schools
* Church Schools: Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School (higher education institutions are non-compulsory and free);
* Private Schools: Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School (fee-paying education).