Malta

This chapter summarises the qualitative data gathered by participating economies via an electronic questionnaire. Country experts reported on legal frameworks and on factors which facilitate or act as barriers to inclusion and equity as well as on definitions of special education for gathering statistics. This chapter also discusses the allocation of categories of students with disabilities, learning difficulties and disadvantages included in the resources definition to the tripartite taxonomy. This forms the basis for the subsequent analyses of this report.

This chapter analyses the data based on the national categories used to provide additional resources for students who have difficulties in accessing the curriculum, as supplied by participating economies. It looks at the proportions registered in education statistics in the compulsory phase of education, by individual category of disability, learning difficulty or disadvantage and by location of education (special schools, special classes and regular classes).

This chapter provides additional descriptive information on all students with disabilities, learning difficulties and disadvantages enrolled in educational programmes in special schools, special classes and regular classes classified by age and gender. It also discusses the preponderance of numbers of boys over girls in a wide range of analyses (educational setting, cross-national category, age of student, or phase of education).

This chapter discusses the development of a comprehensive public procurement performance measurement framework in Malta. To support Malta in setting such a framework, the chapter highlights key elements to consider in setting up a performance measurement framework, including i) the category of indicators (efficiency/effectiveness, compliance, strategic ones), ii) the procurement stage, and iii) the relevant stakeholders. The chapter also reviews the availability of data to assesses the procurement processes.

This profile identifies strengths, challenges and specific areas of action on cancer prevention and care in Malta as part of the European Cancer Inequalities Registry, a flagship initiative of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. It provides a short synthesis of: the national cancer burden; risk factors for cancer (focusing on behavioural and environmental risk factors); early detection programmes; and cancer care performance (focusing on accessibility, care quality, costs and the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care).

This chapter discusses public procurement processes in Malta throughout the procurement cycle. It highlights the need to strengthen procurement planning with a focus on procurement plans, and needs and market analysis. It also reviews procurement processes for open tender and highlights the need to simplify the vetting process, to further use multiple award criteria, and to improve processes for the tendering and contract management phase with a focus on the digitalisation of processes. Lastly, the chapter discusses the use of efficiency tools in Malta, with a focus on framework agreements, dynamic purchasing systems and centralisation schemes.

This chapter analyses the institutional and procedural set-up of the office of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, the human and financial resources of the office, and the organisational culture. This chapter examines the Commissioner’s core functions, including on investigations as well as in strengthening capacity and raising awareness on integrity amongst officials covered by the Standards in Public Life. This chapter also provides recommendations on strengthening integrity measures in the office of the Commissioner.

This chapter reviews the Commissioner’s proposals to introduce a lobbying framework in Malta. While the proposals are in line with international best practices, this chapter provides tailored recommendations to improve the proposed framework and close potential loopholes. It also proposes measures for strengthening integrity standards on lobbying and identifies avenues to establish sanctions for breaches of lobbying framework.

Concerns about equity in education, the declining numbers of children and increased demands of the labour market are forcing education systems to take more interest in the educational progress of students who would otherwise under-achieve by offering considerable extra resources to help them learn more effectively. Providing equitable systems of education to promote the development of all children is an important goal for governments.

Public integrity is a cornerstone of democracy. The steadfast commitment of elected representatives and appointed officials to a culture of integrity is key to bolster trust in institutions and secure their legitimacy. Malta has introduced several reforms to strengthen integrity for elected and appointed officials. The 2017 Standards in Public Life Act marked a significant milestone, with the law setting standards of conduct for elected and appointed officials, and establishing a Commissioner for Standards in Public Life as the authority responsible for reviewing the conduct of these officials in terms of their statutory and ethical duties as persons in public life.