Schools in Malta: how the education system works and if is it suitable for your children

What are the types of schools? The three types of schools exist: Malta public schools, church, and private. Children of foreign citizens can also study in international schools.

All educational institutions are accredited by the Malta Ministry for Education.

Stages of training. Education in Maltese schools takes 11 years. The process consists of two stages:

1. 5 to 11 years old — primary education.

2. 11 to 18 years old — secondary education.

All children aged 5 to 16 are required to attend school. The requirement is enshrined in the Education Law.

Students can graduate from school at the age of 16, after completing the ninth grade. However, if a child plans to go to university, they usually finish 11 grades.

Calendar and scheduling. The academic year in Malta begins on September 26th. The child goes to the first grade in the year they turn five.

Vacations are provided during the academic year:

• three days in November;

• two weeks at Christmas and New Years — usually from December 23rd to January 6th;

• two days in February or March during the carnival;

• two weeks in April for Easter.

Children also rest during public holidays.

From June 1st, schools are switching to shortened lessons. The academic year ends on June 28th, after which the summer holidays begin.

Lessons are 45 minutes long. Lesson times are regulated for elementary schools: lessons begin at 8:30 and end at 14:40, shortened lessons in June last until 12:30. Secondary schools develop their own schedule of classes, so the start and end times of lessons depend on the particular school.

Education in primary schools is based on the National Education Program of 2012. Five hours a week are devoted to Maltese, English, and Mathematics. There are also lessons in science, fine and decorative arts, social studies, computer science, and physical education.

High school education is divided into two periods. The first two years, seventh and eighth grades, all students study general subjects. From ninth to eleventh grades, it is allowed to choose two subjects that will be studied in depth.

High school classes can be general or specialised, with advanced studies in the humanities or science and mathematics. The program necessarily includes lessons in Maltese and English. There are also lessons in physics, physical education, history, geography, fine arts, and social studies.

Students can choose a foreign language: depending on the school in Malta, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic are taught. Seminars on personal, social and career growth are held as a separate discipline.

Lessons in religion and ethics are taught in both primary and secondary schools according to the canons of the Catholic Church. But the subject is optional for children of foreign citizens and immigrants. Upon notification from the parents, the child is exempted from attending religious classes, and free time can be spent, for example, in the school library.

The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.

In public and church schools, instruction is usually in Maltese, in addition to English lessons. Textbooks are also issued in Maltese or English, depending on the subject.

In private and international schools, lessons are often taught in English.

If a child does not know much Maltese and English, they can enrol in an introductory program when entering primary school. It lasts a year and involves an in-depth study of languages, in addition to the rest of the elementary school subjects. The school year for students in the introductory program begins on October 1st.

From the first to the third grade, students do not take exams, but according to the results of their progress during the year they receive grades in their ability to read, write, and count.

Fourth and fifth grade students take exams in Maltese, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Religion at the end of the school year. If a child has not attended religion lessons, the candidate is exempt from the exam.

Sixth graders graduate from elementary school and take final exams in Maltese, English, mathematics, social studies, and religion (if applicable) at the end of the year. To successfully pass the exam, students need to score a certain number of points which is set at the national level.

If a student does well on exams and scores a lot of points, they are able to enrol in a more prestigious high school. Most students transfer to secondary school, which is tied to their place of residence and primary school.

At the end of the ninth grade, students take exams to obtain a certificate of basic secondary education.

Eleventh graders take exams in Maltese, English, and Mathematics, as well as in selected subjects for university admission. The exams correspond to the International Baccalaureate, IB system.

Graduates receive a certificate of complete secondary education. The certificate is issued in accordance with the first three levels of the Maltese and Common European Qualifications System.

There are public schools in most localities across the country. Schools are united in self-government units — colleges. Malta city college includes several primary and secondary schools located in the same region of the country.

When a child graduates from elementary school, they transfer to Malta high school, which is in the same college as elementary.

Free education. Education in public schools is completely free for citizens and residents of Malta, the states of the European Union and the European Economic Area. If at least one parent has received a work permit in Malta, their children can study for free in Maltese public schools.

Pupils do not buy textbooks and school supplies as they are given out at school. You can get to school and home by a free bus. Parents independently provide the child with school uniforms and stationery.

Children are enrolled in the local school. Parents do not choose which primary or secondary school the child will go to: enrolment takes place at the place of residence within the framework of the regional college.

Large classes. Up to 26 children study in one class. Only in practical classes, for example, when conducting experiments in a laboratory, the simultaneous presence of up to 16 students is allowed.

Church schools are owned by the Maltese Catholic Church but are regulated by the Ministry for Education. In 2021, there are 27 primary and 22 secondary church schools in the country with accreditation from the Maltese state.

Education in church schools is separate for boys and girls.

Free education. There is no tuition fee, as these are covered by the state.

Child’s enrolment and education costs. The parents make an annual contribution that covers a portion of the school’s expenses for the child’s education. Each school sets the amount of the contribution independently.

The contribution is considered a charitable donation for which church schools are not accountable to the state. Some schools make contributions entirely voluntary, leaving the amount to the discretion of the parents.

The average charitable contribution in church schools is from €150 to €600 per child per year. Parents also buy textbooks, school supplies, and uniforms.

Enrolment quotas. It is more difficult to enter a church school than a public one. Enrolment takes place not at the place of residence, as in a public school, but at the request of the parents. At the same time, most church schools limit the number of students, so beginners sometimes have to wait for their turn to enter. Some schools hold a lottery among applicants.

Private schools in Malta are open for both Maltese citizens and foreigners. Private schools are subject to mandatory accreditation by the Ministry for Education, and the school curriculum must meet government standards. Graduates pass exams on an equal footing with everyone else and receive state certificates.

26 private pre-school and school education institutions are operating in Malta in 2021.

International schools Malta. In 2021, there are three international schools in Malta that accept the children of wealthy immigrants for education.

QSI International School opened in Malta in 2007. The school has 225 students from 40 countries. Classes are held in small groups: the philosophy of the school implies an individual approach and focus on the success of each child.

In addition to standard school subjects, students can attend different extracurricular classes. For example, drawing, gardening, robotics. The school has its own football, volleyball, and basketball teams.

Verdala International School. Education at the school follows international programs. It takes 12 years to study. Graduates of the tenth grade receive an international certificate of secondary education (IGCSE), approved by the Cambridge International Examination Board.

Upon completion of twelve grades, graduates receive an International Baccalaureate Program (IBDP) certificate.

Malta Crown is a private boarding school for Russian-speaking students. The school is located in Marsascala, a Maltese resort town.

The school program combines the Russian and international education systems. 11th and 12th grade students study under the IBDP International Baccalaureate program, developed in conjunction with the British Academy of St. Edward’s College.

Graduates of the Malta Crown School receive a Maltese Certificate of Secondary Education, a Russian Certificate, USE results and IELTS or TOEFL English Proficiency Certificates. The IBDB certificate is accepted by universities in 121 countries.

The language of teaching in private and international schools is English. At Malta Crown school, teaching is also conducted in Russian.

Individual approach and international standards. In private schools, students are taught in small groups, so every child is given enough attention. Programs are developed to meet international requirements for applicants according to the standards of the European Union, Great Britain and the United States.

Cost of education. A year of study at a private or international school costs an average of €6,000 to €9,000. For example, a full board year for primary school in Malta Crown costs around €7,500 and for an IBDB high school, around €15,000.

Public schools. Citizens and residents of Malta and other EU countries apply directly to the primary school where they would like to enrol their child. To enrol in high school, one needs to contact the head of the college to which the school belongs.

Citizens of countries outside the European Union apply to the Ministry for Education of Malta. To do this, you need to fill out an online application form.

The application must also be accompanied by:

1. Birth certificate of the child with translation into English.

2. Marriage certificate of the child’s parents.

3. Certificate from Identity Malta Agency.

4. An agreement to buy or rent a home in Malta.

5. A document confirming the right of custody and guardianship of the child.

6. Information about the vaccinations given to the child, translated into English.

Consideration of the application takes up to a week. In 2021, applications were accepted until January 15th.

Church, private, and international schools. Enrolment takes place after parents contact the chosen educational institution. Each school sets the procedure and deadlines for the application. The list of documents, as a rule, coincides with what is required for enrolment in a public school.

1. Wealthy individuals can acquire a Malta residence permit through a government-approved investment program. The minimum required investment is €30,000 for a temporary residence permit and €182,000 for a permanent one.

2. Malta’s education system includes public, church, and private schools, all regulated and accredited by the Ministry for Education to maintain educational standards.

3. Education in Malta is divided into primary and secondary levels, with primary school covering ages 5 to 11 and secondary school spanning from 11 to 18.

4. The Maltese academic calendar begins in late September and concludes at the end of June, with scheduled breaks during November, winter, spring, and Easter holidays.

5. Maltese and EU citizens apply directly to the primary school of their choice or to the head of the college for high school enrolment. Non-EU citizens need to submit an online application to the Ministry for Education, along with required documents.