Tomorrow, Thursday 11 July, applications open for Lifelong Learning courses for more than 400 courses in various different subjects, ranging from language learning to practical subjects. For the first time, these courses are open to those aged 15 and over.
Most courses start next October and run until the end of May and the majority of them have a duration of 32 weeks, with some being shorter with a maximum of 14 a week. The Lifelong Learning and Employability Directorate within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is providing these courses with a learning system customized.
“We are emphasizing again that when it comes to Lifelong Learning, there are three pillars that are being given maximum importance: to improve the educational opportunities for those who need to improve their skills and qualifications; to diversify both the methods and opportunities for learning; and quality”, said the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima during the launch of the prospectus.
The Minister recalled the wide consultation that was carried out for the National Strategy for Education 2024-2030, a strategy that covers all ages even of mature students of all ages who want to keep improving their skills, in a world that is developing rapidly and is demanding new skills. “A strategy that is a holistic one that gathers every educational sector we have, including the one that looks at Lifelong Learning”, said Grima.
The courses are given by educators and specialized coordinators who help those who attend and continue to follow until the student reaches his aspirations.
During the launch it was emphasized that learning is the key to personal development, to social inclusion, to active citizenship and to sustainable development and therefore Lifelong Learning offers the opportunity to adult students to increase their knowledge, develop new skills, improve the career prospects that are available to them and broaden their professional knowledge.
The Minister said that quality is central in the work that is being done in such an important sector and in a sector that is the foundation of everything that is our life. “This is why we are constantly improving the quality of learning for adults. We are working to have better coordination in the sector to increase the participation of adult learning in all types of education: formal, non-formal and informal. This should lead to the acquisition of skills linked to jobs, to active citizenship or to personal development and satisfaction”, concluded the Grima.
Applications open from July 11 to August 8 and one can apply by going to the website www.lifelonglearning.gov.mt .
