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EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Organisation of private education

Malta

2.Organisation and governance

2.4Organisation of private education

Last update: 27 November 2023

Organisation of Private Education

Private education is offered at all levels of education, including pre-compulsory (early years education, ISCED 0), compulsory (ISCED 1-3) and post-compulsory education (ISCED 4). Private and state education are regulated in the same way, with different regulations applicable to the various levels. Because of this, the school year and school time of private schools are more or less the same as those of state schools.

Private education in Malta is provided by the Catholic Church and independent schools (i.e. non-state actors). All independent schools are co-educational. Conversely, church schools are traditionally single-sex schools and, while some schools have switched to co-educational, the majority remain single-sex schools.

Church schools do not charge tuition fees as they are grant-aided schools, although parents are asked to give donations, on a voluntary basis, to help the schools cover expenses. The government also allocates an extra 10% of funds for administrative fees to these schools. Independent schools, most of which are run by a parents’ foundation, charge tuition fees. The State grants tax rebates to parents on these tuition fees in accordance with Article 14B of the Income Tax Act. 

From September 2018, school transport is being provided free of charge by the State for students attending private education.  

Early years (0-3 years)

Education establishments offering early years education to 0-3 year olds require a license issued by the DQSE (Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education). These are regulated by the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 Years) and the Registration Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 Years).

State Childcare Centres

Independent Childcare Centres

Church Childcare Centres

13

120

2

Source: MEYR

Early years (3-5 years)

Kindergartens, that is education establishments offering pre-compulsory education for children aged 3-5 years, require a license issued by the DQSE (Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education) in accordance with Education Act (Chapter 605) , the National Minimum Conditions (MT) for all schools, SL 327.12 and other relevant Legislation/Regulation. Currently there are 42 non-state Kindergartens in Malta. 

 

Church Kindergartens

Independent Kindergartens

Co-educational

15

19

Males

0

0

Females

8

0

Source: MEYR

Compulsory education (ISCED 1-3)

Compulsory Education provides a general education, organised into three levels: Primary (ISCED 1), Middle (ISCED 2, that is lower secondary) and Secondary (ISCED 2-3, that is lower and upper secondary). Education establishments offering compulsory education require a license issued by the DQSE (Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education) in accordance with Education Act (Chapter 605 of the Laws of Malta), the National Minimum Conditions (MT) for all schools and other relevant Legislation/Regulations. Furthermore, education establishments are bound by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). 

Currently there are 37 non-state primary schools.

 

Church Primary Schools

Independent Primary Schools

Co-educational

9

9

Males

7

1

Females

11

0

Source: MEYR

Currently there are 30 private education establishments that provide general education at ISCED 2-3. All these schools provide education at both levels.

 

Church Secondary Schools

Independent Secondary Schools

Co-educational

0

6

Males

11

2

Females

11

0

Source: MEYR

Higher secondary education (ISCED 4)

Further Education Institutions (ISCED 4) are licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in accordance with Subsidiary Legislation 607.03 Licensing, Accreditation and Quality Assurance. Under the Further and Higher Education Act, Chapter 607 of the Laws of Malta, further education is defined as “all non-compulsory formal learning which serves to obtain a national qualification classified up to and including level 4 of the Malta Qualifications Framework, or a foreign qualification at a comparable level”.

Four private schools (2 Church-run and 2 privately-run) also provide a general upper higher secondary education. Church and independent higher upper secondary institutions are co-educational. There is no private provision for vocational higher upper secondary education.

Special education

There are no private special schools. Schools follow an inclusive education policy. 

International schools

Private education also includes three international schools which follow an international curriculum approved either by the country of origin of the mother organisation or an internationally recognised curriculum. They are regulated by the Education Act for licensing purposes and the NCF. Private schools are also subject to monitoring by the Quality Assurance Department (QAD) within DQSE as stipulated by the NMCR.