Secondary school students from eleven different schools, including one from Gozo, this morning debated several topics related to quality education, such as co-education, whether compulsory education should be up to 18 years instead of 16, and on whether teachers should be friends or educators.
The activity, entitled “Let’s Debate Quality Education!” is an educational debate organised by the Malta Union of Teachers through the Ministry for Education together with Agenzija Zghazagh, the DES and the DQSE and was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The aim of the debates is to encourage young people to discuss issues related to quality education.
Speaking during the activity, the Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo said that it was a positive sign to see students debate among themselves on issues such as the obligatory age of education.
The Minister said that in the past we would have been discussing whether obligatory education should be raised from ten years or 14 years of age. Having such debates was important to make sure we are always aware what is the best formula for our education.
The eleven schools participating were those who applied to the invitation to take part by sending a team of three speakers. These were Mosta GSS, Pembroke Co-ed School, Kirkop BSS, Handaq GSS, St. Elias, St. Jeanne Antide, Hamrun GSS, St. Lucia GSS, Gozo GSS, St. Joseph Senior School and Mriehel GSS.
The debating teams were accompanied by another group of students from their schools, who also had the opportunity to speak and vote as part of the proceedings.
The activity also included an element of preparation held in advance in collaboration with interested teachers, school administrators and officers from the Education Directorates. Facilitating the debates were notable presenters Dr. Andrew Azzopardi and Mr. Karl Wright. A token of appreciation by Agenda Bookshop was also given to all students participating in the debates.
As part of the activity, Agenzija Zghazagh believes that such a dialogue with young people is important as it brings about a more participative approach in school. Giving young people a voice in education does not only exercise their rights but also enables them to achieve more, improve their self-esteem and contribute to a better school environment.
During his presentation, Mr. Marco Bonnici, Senior Vice President at the Malta Union of Teachers, commented that “this activity is part of the campaign “Unite for Quality Education” being organised in 2014 by Education International (EI). In fact we included topics related to the three pillars of quality education, which are quality teachers, quality tools and quality environments.
The MUT said that it “is proud to be part of this campaign, which is giving a voice to educators across the globe and which in Malta is involving the Ministry and students as well. Education International has 30 million members globally through its 400 affiliated organisations in more than 170 countries and territories, and as part of the campaign we are demanding that quality education for all remains at the top of the agenda for a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future.”
More information about this worldwide campaign by Education International can be found at http://www.unite4education.org/ [1].