During a press conference this morning, Minister Evarist Bartolo and Minister Helena Dalli explained the steps taken by the Government in order to strengthen data issues on children and schools.
Over the past months, an education working party chaired by the commissioner for information and data protection, composed of stakeholders from state and non state sector as well as higher education and tertiary institutions held several meetings resulting in a draft legal instrument. This legal notice was published for public consultation.
Following this, the Data Protection Commissioner also had meetings with other stakeholders and representatives, as well as the Opposition. Various entities and individuals also submitted their feedback.
Minister Bartolo said that the final draft of the legislation which reflects such wide consultation process and feedback from all stakeholders was taken on board.
Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli emphasised that the previous process related to the issue to Legal Notice 76 had been carried out following approval by the former Data Protection Commissioner. She explained how at no instance did the government try and carry out any form of data collection process of students which breaches their data protection rights.
Dr Dalli praised the importance of traceability studies which can serve as key indicators to legislators in different areas such as lack of women’s participation at work.
Minister Dalli announced that on the 28th of January, the Data Protection Commission will be holding a seminar on Data Protection Day, aimed to update government employees in this area.
The working group report can be accessed on www.education.gov.mt [1].