Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534619
10 OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 APRIL 2025 THERE is no longer any ques- tion about whether digital edu- cation is important. The world is already digital. The only real question for Malta is whether we intend to shape that future – or be shaped by it. With its Digital Education Strategy 2025–2030, Malta is taking a clear and de- liberate stand: Every student de- serves the skills to thrive in the digital age, and every educator deserves the tools to guide them there. This isn't just a policy doc- ument. It's a national commit- ment to opportunity, inclusion, and innovation. Today's learners aren't just growing up with technology; they're growing up inside it. From how we communicate to how we work and learn, digital tools shape almost every aspect of modern life. For an educa- tion system to remain relevant, digital competence must be more than a bonus – it must be a baseline. Malta's strate- gy recognises this reality, not with vague ambitions but with a well-structured, nationwide plan. It sets the tone for the next five years, making digital fluency a core part of education in this country. This vision is grounded in four key commitments. First, to cre- ate digital citizens from an ear- ly age – students who are not only confident with technology but also understand its impact, ethics, and possibilities. Sec- ond, to empower teachers as leaders in digital innovation. No system can move faster than the people running it, and the strategy rightly puts educa- tors at the centre of transfor- mation. Third, to involve fami- lies and communities, ensuring that digital education doesn't stop at the classroom door. And fourth, to guarantee that access to devices and resources is a right, not a privilege. The One Device Per Child initiative makes this clear – equity is no longer optional. This isn't just nice to have. It's essential. As other countries like Estonia and Finland have already shown, early and con- sistent investment in digital ed- ucation pays off. These nations have built agile, forward-think- ing education systems by em- bedding technology at every level, from teacher training to classroom practice. Malta takes lessons from these models while tailoring its approach to local needs. Including Maltese culture and language in digital content is a bold and neces- sary move. In a world of global platforms and foreign content, preserving national identi- ty through education matters more than ever. This strategy isn't about pro- ducing tech wizards or turn- ing every student into a coder. It's about equipping the next generation to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage responsibly in a digital world. That means personal- ised learning with intelligent tools. It means safer online behaviour through structured teaching on digital ethics. It means breaking away from old-fashioned teaching meth- ods and embracing the possi- bilities of immersive technol- ogies and real-time feedback. None of this is theory – it's happening, and the students of Malta deserve nothing less. For teachers, this is not about piling on extra work. It's about support and professional re- spect. The strategy includes se- rious commitments to training, mentorship, and recognition. Sharing resources, learning from peers, and gaining new skills should not feel like a bur- den. Indeed, it should feel like progress. And progress is what education is meant to deliver. Parents are part of this, too. With proper guidance and sup- port, they'll be better equipped to help their children navigate digital spaces safely. They'll understand the tools being used in class. They'll be part- ners in learning, not observers from the sidelines. Of course, none of this hap- pens with good intentions alone. What matters now is de- livery. Schools must receive the funding and technical backing they need. Internet access must be reliable in every classroom. Teacher training must be on- going and tailored, not generic. And existing digital platforms must evolve into genuinely us- er-friendly systems that make teaching and learning smooth- er, not harder. The strategy also takes a firm stand on closing the digital di- vide, which remains one of Mal- ta's most persistent challenges. Too often, students fall behind not because they lack talent or motivation but because they lack access. By embedding eq- uity into the plan, Malta refuses to let the student's background determine digital readiness. That's not just good policy but Malta's digital education strategy is a smart, necessary move for the future Alexiei Dingli is a professor of AI Alexiei Dingli Malta's strategy recognises this reality, not with vague ambitions but with a well-structured, nationwide plan (File Photo).