Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536175
THE Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) has launched the Transformation Hub, a flagship initiative under the Malta Educa- tion Foresight Forum (MEFF) that marks a significant shift in how educational pol- icy is shaped in Malta. Designed to empower stakeholders and foster strategic foresight, the Hub repre- sents a bold step toward a more partic- ipatory, future-ready education system. At its core, the Transformation Hub serves three functions: It is a platform for policy co-creation, a strategic foresight centre, and an experimentation space. It brings together educators, students, par- ents, and other stakeholders to collabora- tively design and evaluate policies based on lived experience and future challeng- es. Educators are invited not only to par- ticipate in dialogue but also to test and refine ideas before national adoption, creating a 'sandbox' environment where transformation can flourish. The official launch in April marked the beginning of a series of workshops aimed at addressing Malta's long-term educational needs. Participants engaged in scenario-building tasks, forecasting how trends in technology, climate, and wellbeing might shape schools in the years ahead. Using tools from strategic foresight, such as back-casting and ho- rizon scanning, they explored both risks and opportunities, mapping out the steps needed to build a resilient and equitable education system by 2030, 2035 and be- yond. A school leader involved in the work- shop remarked: "This Hub makes space for much-needed dialogue and reflec- tion, which is exactly what schools and educators need." Indeed, the initiative embodies the val- ues set out in the Educators as Policy Makers policy, which aims to decentral- ise education governance and empower educators to play a key role in shaping national priorities. Officials from the Directorate for Plan- ning and Strategic Foresight highlighted the importance of creating an environ- ment for transformation, where educa- tors can explore and discuss innovative practices, technologies, and policies. All activities are supported by a robust stra- tegic foresight framework for evaluation, ensuring that successful pilots can be scaled system-wide. The Transformation Hub works in tan- dem with the participatory approach of MEFF, which unites diverse voices to anticipate change, co-create solutions, and plan for preferred futures. This aligns closely with the National Educa- tion Strategy 2024–2030, which cham- pions innovation, adaptability, and for- ward-thinking leadership. Crucially, the Hub is underpinned by a strong commitment to data-informed, values-driven policy. It draws from na- tional research, international good practice, and the experiences of local communities to create grounded yet vi- sionary policy proposals. It also aligns with international frameworks, notably the OECD's strategic foresight work. As part of its ongoing development, Mal- ta will collaborate with the OECD on a dedicated research project exploring the future of teaching and learning, further positioning the Hub as a pioneering fore- sight space in education for international relevance and dialogue. Looking ahead, the Transformation Hub will continue to host collaborative workshops, policy feedback sessions, and pilot initiatives, reinforcing its role as a national incubator of educational change. In an era defined by complexity and uncertainty, the Transformation Hub of- fers a compelling model of democratic, collaborative governance—placing the future of education in the hands of those who live it every day. SINCE water leakages take time to emerge the time-bar period of two years does not start when the leakage took place. This was held in a judgment delivered on 4 June 2025 in Frank Cristiano et vs Kevin Farru- gia and George Farrugia & Sons Limited, by Judge Anna Felice. The Plaintiffs explained in their sworn ap- plication that they own an apartment and a garage in Attard. The garage is underlying the property of the Defendants. In January 2016 water started entering the Plaintiffs' property from that of the Defendant, which caused substantial damage. The Defend- ants were called upon to remedy the situ- ation and to pay for the damages, but they were ignored. The Plaintiffs asked the court to find the Defendants responsible and to order them to pay for the damages. The Defendants disagreed and filed a statement of defence. It held that Kevin Farrugia is not personally responsible, since he is not the owner. The Defendants held that the Plaintiffs must prove that the dam- age occurred from the company's property. The Court then appointed an architect as its expert. It was the expert who heard the witnesses. The Plaintiff Frank Cristiano testified that he had purchased the proper- ty in 2006. In 2016 he went to the garage and found water seeping through the roof. The next day, workmen of the Defendant company saw the water in the garage and promised to fix the problem. This was con- firmed by Cristiano's wife. The Plaintiff's architects testified that the water was com- ing from the property above the garage. The Defendant, Kevin Farrugia, testified that the first time he learned about the damage was from the judicial letter sent to him. He sent an architect, who found a lot of humidity and damp walls. There were no leaks in the pipes. The Plaintiff's architects held that the ceil- ing and the walls of the garage were damp. They suggested that this may be treated. The Defendant's architects reported that the garage's roof had no pipes passing above it. He concluded that the garages suf- fered from lack of ventilation. This caused deterioration of the concrete. The Court expert disagreed with this and held that there was a water leak, however, this was not the only cause of damage. The expert said works had to be carried out on the roof of the garages with a cost of €3,540. The Court dealt with the plea that Kevin Farrugia should not have been sued per- sonally, since the property on top of the garages was owned by George Farrugia & Sons Limited. The Court agreed with this. The Court dealt also with the issue of time-barring in terms of Article 2153 of the Civil Code. This was not formally present- ed but the Plaintiff said that this damage occurred years before, but did not know when precisely. However, later he did mention five years. In the note of submis- sion, the Plaintiff argued that prescription is interrupted every time the damage re- curs. The Defendant rebutted by quoting the date of the first report 27 March 2016, while the sworn application was filed on 15 May 2018. Therefore, they argued, the action was time barred because two years had passed. On this point the Court quoted the judg- ment, Carmel sive Charles Aquilina vs Alan Alden et decided by the Court of Appeal on 27 June 2014, which dealt with an identi- cal situation. The Court of Appeal said that this sort of damage takes time to be noticed. The damage is not established at one moment. This was the case in this par- ticular case and therefore, the court did not accept this plea. As to the merits of the case, the Court held that in terms of the judgment, Joseph Calleja noe vs John Mifsud, decided by the Court of Appeal on 19 November 2001, a court expert's testimony is evidence that the court must take into consideration. Ac- cording to Article 681 of the Code of Or- ganisation and Civil Procedure, the court is not bound by the conclusions of the court-appointed expert. However, the court should not disregard this opinion easily. In this case, the Court held that there was no reason to doubt the court expert's opinion. However, it did not agree that it should be bound by a specif- ic amount for damages. The Plaintiff did not ask for a specific sum for the works to be carried out. They asked that the Court allow them to carry out the works at their expense. The Court therefore, ordered that the Plaintiff carry out remedial works at the expense of the Defendant company. OPINION & LAW Law Report Time-bar period for water leakages commences when the damages are obvious LAW REPORT MALCOLM MIFSUD Mifsud & Mifsud Advocates MALCOLM MIFSUD Mifsud & Mifsud Advocates maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 JUNE 2025 8 Matthew Vella Shaping the future of education through foresight and participatory evaluation Matthew Vella is permanent secretary at the Education Ministry