Minister for Education and Employment, Owen Bonnici launched two new Social Studies textbooks for the first two years of secondary school together with the European Commission Representation in Malta and the Directorate for Learning and Evaluation Programmes within the Ministry for Education.
These books are based on the updated Social Studies syllabus and are funded by the European Commission Representation. These books have been given a European dimension, through which students can become acquainted with what it means to be a citizen of an economic and political bloc of 27 member states and half a billion people.
The minister highlighted the important role of the subject. “The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. The inclusion of Social Studies in the curriculum signifies the importance of the subject and the role it plays in a student’s life. By incorporating Social Studies in the school curriculum, we are ensuring a well-rounded education for our children and for future generations”.
He explained that, “The book focuses on key areas of civic studies that introduce learners to various concepts such as social responsibility, groups and associations, environment, and work. It is presented with a modern and attractive design and outlines basic principles on Malta’s role in the European Union as a sovereign state participating in key political decisions for the country and the continent”.
Dr Elena Grech, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, said, “The Representation has long been working with schools and educational authorities to increase awareness of Malta’s membership of the European Union and the opportunities created thereof. In addition to regular presence in schools and the organisation of various educational activities, the Representation has increasingly worked on including European material in syllabi and the educational experience. Cooperation has recently increased with different educational fields, including Skolasajf and in collaboration with the Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars initiative, where the winning students were taken on a trip to Brussels to see how the main institutions of the European Union work. This latest initiative to publish these books is a more concrete effort to give students a solid basic knowledge of what it means to be a citizen of the European Union”.
The editorial project was led by the Language Office of the EC Representation in Malta and an education officer for Social Studies within DLAP.
Details
- Publication date
- 18 November 2020