On the 6th of February 2023, the National School Support Services (NSSS) organised a conference on the implementation of the National Inclusion Policy and Framework.
The conference Embarking on the Route Towards Quality Inclusion: Implementation of the Inclusion Policy and Framework was organised at the Malta Mediterranean Conference Centre and more than 350 educators and practitioners attended.
The conference was opened by Hon Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Matthew Vella and the Director General of Education Services, Mr Emile Vassallo.
Two guest speakers delivered a key note address during the conference. Dr Amanda Watkins from the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education spoke about the Agency’s Key Principles for supporting policy development and implementation for inclusive education. She evaluated how these principles align with the Maltese education system.
Mr Brendan Doody from the Department of Education and Skills in Ireland spoke about inclusive education in Ireland and the allocation model.
Other practitioners from NSSS also participated in the conference through presentations and workshops. Workshop topics included diverse attributes of inclusive education, namely supporting positive behaviour, the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ learners, attendance, diversity and healthy lifestyles in schools.
A soft copy of the Policy on Inclusive Education in Schools: Route to Quality Education and the National Inclusive Education Framework can be found:
https://education.gov.mt/en/NSSS/Pages/Inclusion-Policy-and-Framework.aspx
This initiative has been carried out under the NextGenerationEU Programmes by means of Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.
