1,950 new students have registered to begin at one of the Church Schools for the 2026-2027 scholastic year.
The Church said that in total, around 17,000 students and more than 3,000 educators are starting or continuing their educational journey in the 55 Church schools in Malta and Gozo, at kindergarten, primary, secondary and post-secondary levels.
In a message to all students and educators, Archbishop Charles Scicluna wished everyone a school year in which “we grow in respect for one another, in unity among ourselves, in human wisdom but also in the wisdom of life, the wisdom that marvels at creation and cares for it, that admires each other’s talents and cares for one another, that looks to the future with hope and enthusiasm.”
The Archbishop also urged students to use social media after school hours “responsibly, with respect for everyone, including yourselves, and taking care that your life is not lived only online but truly lived.”
Around 150 new educators and staff are joining the Church schools community this year. In preparation for the new school year, the Secretariat for Catholic Education organised formation sessions for educators to remind them that their work goes beyond teaching and professional duties: every educator is called to accompany each student on his or her journey.
Fr Mark Ellul, Delegate for Catholic Education, said, “the continued interest of parents in Church schools shows trust in this mission, which offers a complete formation to every child. This trust brings with it a serious responsibility towards students, families and the whole of Maltese society because the education offered by Church schools remains founded on respect for the dignity of every person.”
He added that, ”in a world where technology and artificial intelligence are increasingly affecting how we learn and live, Church schools are committed to strengthening critical thinking and discernment, with technology always at the service of the person.”
During this scholastic year, the Secretariat for Catholic Education, whose role is to lead, support and coordinate the educational and pastoral work of Church schools in Malta and Gozo, will give priority to the implementation of the identity document of Church schools, Catholic Education in Malta: The Mission of Church Schools in Maltese Society Today and Tomorrow, launched in May 2026.
The document presents a vision of schools as Christ-centred communities, founded on the dignity of every person and open to the diverse realities of Maltese society. It also responds to Pope Leo XIV’s call for Catholic education that draws “new maps of hope.”
In the coming months, the Secretariat said it will continue to prioritise the formation of educators, leaders, staff and parents, so that the Catholic identity may be further strengthened in the concrete life of the schools.
The Secretariat for Catholic Education thanked the school heads, educators and all staff who, often in silence, contribute to the educational mission of the Church.
Details about the 2027-2028 school year in Church schools are expected to be announced in November 2026 on church.mt.
File photo: Malta Archdiocese