Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1262267
4 LAURA CALLEJA SCHOOL closures pitted teach- ers and students against a new reality, as educational institu- tions scrambled to complete four crucial months of educa- tion through online classrooms and lessons. Malta was hit particularly hard, as digital platforms were still rel- atively new and online teaching had yet to take off in earnest. But under pressure from being quasi-independently financed by parents, it was private schools that were quicker at adjusting to the new reality. The high scho- lastic fees were instrumental into pushing the independent schools in delivering on the high expectations from parents dur- ing the lockdown. One mother who wished to remain anonymous told Mal- taToday the services at St Mi- chael Foundation during the lockdown were "fantastic". With girls in both primary and sec- ondary school, she said the ap- proach of the school on online teaching was well thought-out. "The kids actually continued to have assembly, with it taking place for the older kids every day and once a week for the younger ones. They had timetables which included all subjects, even ballet, art and P.E classes – nothing maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JUNE 2020 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs Parliamentary Secretariat for European Funds PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT Call for aquaculture (innovation) project proposals co-financed through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 The European Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme for Malta in respect of the current programming period provides funding opportunities to the fishing and aquaculture industries and related coastal communities to help them adapt to ever-changing sectoral conditions whilst fostering their economical resilience and ecological sustainability. The Fund will be of assistance in reaching the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and support the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, as delineated in pertinent Regulation (EU) No. 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Funds and Programmes Division is hereby informing potential beneficiaries that a call for aquaculture (innovation) project proposals will be launched on 22 June 2020 for the measure below: Article 47 Measure II.1 Innovation Deadline for submission of Application Forms: 31 July 2020 This call has a total allocation of circa €800,000.00 in public eligible funding (European Union and Malta shares). The Managing Authority reserves the right to increase or decrease the said allocation. An information session will be held on 03 July 2020 10.00am at the Division's premises in Triq il-Kukkanja, Sta. Venera. The Application Form and annexes can be downloaded from the following web link as from 22 June 2020: http://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/Agricultural%20Fisheries%20Fund/Pages/ News-and-Events.aspx More information and/or registration for the said information session (until 02 July) can be requested on 22001108 or via e-mail to fpd.mfea@gov.mt or on www.eufundsmalta.gov.mt. Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020 Project part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Co-financing rate: 37.5% European Union funds; 12.5% national funds; 50% private funds Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Online schooling can work, but nothing beats teacher time MATTHEW VELLA CIVIL servants and public em- ployees holding posts in regula- tors and inspectorates are being prohibited from transitioning straight to the private sector, in new revolving doors rules. Under new rules issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary, public employees holding po- sitions that involve regulatory or inspectorate functions will be asked to agree to conditions where, for two years after leaving or retiring from a public post, they are prohibited from joining a private company or NGO with which they have dealt during the last five years in their public job. The term 'revolving door' re- fers to the movement of individ- uals from public office to private companies and non-govern- mental bodies. The rules seek to prevent pub- lic employees from using their government experience and connections to unfairly benefit their new private employer, or even favour certain companies or sectors in their decisions while they are in office, in the hope of landing a job in the cor- porate world once they exit gov- ernment. The designation of the posts and positions liable to revolving doors rules will be carried out by a Revolving Door Policy Gov- ernance Board, which will also give rulings to employees on whether entering into a particu- lar relationship of profit would constitute a breach of the rules. The rules are intended at safe- guarding against conflict, with the highest ethical conduct ex- pected of officers holding or having held public office. The period of two years follow- ing resignation, retirement or termination will be reduced to six months for employees who as at September 2019 already held an appointment to the posts listed as being under the revolving doors rules. Any appointment after this date will be governed by the two-year obligation. Revolving doors rules will en- able better governance in the transition of top public sector Revolving door for top civil servants