Malta - Constitutional & Legal Foundations

The Nationalist reforms were formalized in the Education Act of 1988, which provided free compulsory education, expanded scholarships, and called for the development of technological research and training. The Education Act recognized the role of church and private schools in education, eliminated compulsory work-study programs for university students, and reestablished competency testing. The 1988 Act expanded compulsory education by one year and obligated the state to provide free university education to all qualified students.

In November 1991 the Republic of Malta and the Holy See signed an agreement on Roman Catholic schools. The state recognized the church's right to establish and direct its own schools, and Catholic schools agreed to observe the National Minimum Curriculum and National Minimum Conditions regulations developed for state schools. Church schools agreed not to charge tuition in return for state financial assistance. Spiritual guidance and noneducational activities are supported by fundraising campaigns, free donations from parents, and other collections. The state guaranteed that teachers in Roman Catholic schools have equal access to scholarships, in-service training, and grants designed for state school faculty.