Which school stages form Malta’s compulsory school system?

Compulsory schooling in Malta normally covers Primary Years 1 to 6, Middle Years 7 to 8 and Secondary Years 9 to 11. Children usually enter primary school at about age 5 and remain in compulsory education until age 16 or completion of the final secondary year.

How are school places allocated across State, Church, independent and international schools in Malta?

State schools generally use locality and catchment rules, while Church schools use a ballot managed by the Secretariat for Catholic School Education. Independent schools commonly use first-come, first-served admission, and international schools apply their own school and curriculum requirements.

What attendance rules apply to children in Malta’s compulsory school years?

Parents must register their child from the first compulsory school year and maintain enrolment. Daily attendance is required on scholastic days, and an absence needs a good or sufficient reason; work before completion of compulsory education requires an approved exemption.

How do school costs differ between Malta’s State, Church, independent and international schools?

State schools do not charge tuition fees, although families usually pay for uniforms. Church schools do not charge tuition fees under the applicable concordat but may involve donations and uniform or material costs, while independent and international schools generally charge school fees.

Which school qualifications can a student receive after secondary education in Malta?

A student may receive a School Leaving Certificate, a State Secondary School Certificate and Profile, the Secondary Education Certificate or, for selected vocational subjects, the Secondary Education Applied Certificate. The Malta Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board awards the SEC and SEAC.

School in Malta

Malta’s school system covers voluntary kindergarten, six years of primary school, two years of middle school and three years of secondary school. School attendance is compulsory from age 5 until age 16 or completion of the final secondary year. State, Church and independent schools provide different admission, language, curriculum and cost arrangements.

byGiulia&Ben

Children usually attend kindergarten from about age 3 to 5, but kindergarten is not compulsory. Primary school covers Year 1 to Year 6, middle school covers Year 7 and Year 8, and senior secondary school covers Year 9 to Year 11, also known as Forms 1 to 5. The compulsory school period covers Years 1 to 11. Malta has no separate regional school system replacing the national structure; schools operate across Malta and Gozo, including the Gozo College. The three main providers are State schools, Church schools and independent schools. State schools are organized into Colleges, which coordinate groups of schools. International schools are independent schools that use an approved international curriculum. State education provides access, inclusion and quality under national policy. School access must not discriminate on grounds such as age, sex, religion or belief, wealth, ethnic background, political opinion, disability, skin colour, sexual orientation or gender identity. State-school admission normally follows the child’s locality and catchment area. A Head of School generally handles admission within the same locality. The College Network handles many middle- and secondary-school admissions, out-of-locality requests and transfers between State, Church and independent schools. Families may need an identity document and, depending on the case, proof of residence, a rental document or an ARMS record. Admission outside the relevant catchment area is not automatic. The Secretariat for Catholic School Education uses a ballot for Church-school places. Independent schools commonly admit on a first-come, first-served basis and charge fees. International schools set their own admission procedures according to their curriculum and school policy. The International Learners Directorate supports eligible third-country nationals through induction services before mainstream schooling. Parents must register a child from the first compulsory school year and maintain enrolment. Children must attend each school day in the scholastic calendar. An absence requires a good or sufficient reason. Working before completing compulsory education requires an approved exemption. Licensed home education is a narrowly regulated alternative and is not a separate school type. The National Curriculum Framework 2012 guides pre-compulsory and compulsory education. State schools generally teach in Maltese, apart from English lessons, while non-State schools often teach mainly in English, apart from Maltese lessons. Maltese and English are core languages. Subjects can include Maltese, English, mathematics, science, social studies, history, geography, physical education, religious education, information and communication technology and a foreign language. State schools provide religious education, and non-Maltese citizens can opt out. During Year 8, students usually choose two optional subjects for senior secondary education. International schools may follow an approved international curriculum instead. Teachers use ongoing classroom assessment to support learning. The Educational Assessment Unit conducts national assessment of learning through annual examinations in primary, middle and secondary education. Secondary pupils may receive a School Leaving Certificate, a State Secondary School Certificate and Profile, or qualifications from the Malta Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board. The Secondary Education Certificate, commonly called the SEC, can be registered for after Year 11 or when the student reaches age 16 by 31 December. A school candidate normally completes school-based assessment and written examination components; for general non-vocational subjects, these commonly represent 30 percent and 70 percent. The Secondary Education Applied Certificate, or SEAC, applies to selected vocational school subjects. The Malta Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board, based at the University of Malta, awards SEC and SEAC qualifications. AQA or Edexcel examinations may provide alternative qualifications but are not the core national school system. State schools do not charge tuition fees, and books and general school materials are usually provided without charge, although families normally buy uniforms. Church schools do not charge tuition fees under the applicable concordat, but voluntary or expected donations, uniforms and materials can still create costs. Independent schools charge fees and families generally pay separately for uniforms and materials. International schools usually charge fees set by the individual school. State-funded school transport may be available for kindergarten and compulsory-school students in State, Church and independent schools when residence, distance, licensing and sometimes catchment conditions are met. Out-of-locality transport is assessed case by case. School support includes Learning Support Educators, Individual Education Plans, accessible assessment and therapies through Inclusive Education Support Services. Resource Centres and Learning Support Centres provide specialized support while supporting integration into mainstream education where suitable. Schools also provide counselling, educational guidance, child-safety measures and programmes addressing bullying and substance use. Breakfast Clubs, Catch-Up Classes and home tuition can support attendance and learning; home tuition is available for at least three weeks of medically caused absence in core subjects such as mathematics, Maltese and English. The MySchool management system records attendance, results, Individual Education Plans and communication for State pupils from kindergarten through Year 11. State schools also have student councils and school councils.

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