Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544723
We are now on our way to a general election; a demo- cratic process we as a nation are proud to embrace. For the Labour Party, it will be a cam- paign that taps the social and economic aspirations of all so- cial classes through creativity and motivation. The experience, the resilience and the competence shown during the past 13 years of La- bour administration will prove pivotal. To be able to move forward, however, we also need to see how and why today's prosper- ity is such a remarkable reality. We have witnessed achieve- ments in all spheres of every- day life, from major projects to electoral pledges kept, and better social benefits to a most positive transformation in the health and disability sectors, social liberties, and the end of the infamous unemployment queues of the not-so-distant past. Long gone are the pre-budget blues that used to prevail every year. In contrast, people today look forward to budget day to confirm how better off they are going to be because economic success has paved the way to a better all-round quality of life despite several global crises. While other nations across Europe grapple with economic trauma and the re-emergence of austerity, the Maltese and Gozitan people find themselves shielded and protected by a strong and resilient economy and a government committed to further sustaining families and jobs. It is on the basis of these facts that we look forward to an ex- citing electoral campaign with a strong sense of optimism, proven belief in the skills and talents of our people, and the insistence on providing op- portunities of a better quality of life for all classes of socie- ty. While looking at what our political parties are pledging, people instinctively look back to assess their future. It is only natural for them to hope for a future of more achievements, new targets and even more en- thusiasm. A future that is ours for the taking. Prime Minister Robert Ab- ela has stressed that the na- tion's success is the result of a strong economy, backed by a government that unwaver- ingly has sought progressive ways to improve people's lives. The competence shown in the administration of the coun- try's finances and the economy contrasts with the conservative austerity and the yoke of neg- ativism displayed by past ad- ministrations. Robert Abela has emphasised the vital decision to protect our families from the impact of spiralling oil and gas prices as a result of a world in turmoil, with other countries in Europe still dilly-dallying as to what they can do next in the face of mounting inflation, shrivelling economies and an inevitably disgruntled labour force. The Maltese Government's choice to sustain working-class fami- lies, industries and enterprises will not falter. The downbeat declarations from within the Opposition ranks won't change that. Continuity of the current socio-economic policy is the guarantee to an even better future. This is not only man- ifested in Vision Malta 2050, but is based on the credibility of the Labour government and the overwhelming trust it en- joys from the electorate. In the prime minister's own words: "Under the theme Int Malta – il-Ħolma Tiegħek. Il-Proġett Tagħna, which represents the first costed manifesto with a wellbeing index, is in itself a five-year plan built on new ide- as and real measures. The fu- ture belongs to all of us." Parliamentary secretary for local councils 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MAY 2026 OPINION Alison Zerafa Civelli The future belongs to all of us 'Economic success has paved the way to a better all-round quality of life despite several global crises' National Coordinator EUPA Raphael Scerri Malta's schools expand Erasmus+ footprint in record year MALTA'S school education sector experienced a notable expansion in its participation in the Erasmus+ programme during 2025, with record levels of student and teacher mobility alongside a marked increase in cross-border partnerships. The year signalled a growing appetite among Maltese schools to engage with European net- works and adopt new education- al practices. The surge in activity reflects a sector becoming more out- ward-looking and collaborative. Schools across Malta are in- creasingly aligning their projects with wider European priorities, including digital transformation, environmental sustainability, in- clusion and student wellbeing. The programme has allowed educators and pupils to explore alternative teaching approach- es while strengthening connec- tions with counterparts across Europe. Several thematic areas domi- nated school projects in 2025. Digital transformation featured prominently, with educators ex- perimenting with new technol- ogies and artificial intelligence as tools to support teaching and learning. Climate action and sustainability also emerged as recurring themes, encourag- ing pupils to develop a stronger sense of environmental respon- sibility. At the same time, schools continued to prioritise inclu- sive education, ensuring that learning environments remain accessible to all pupils regard- less of background. Professional development for teachers was another key pillar, with mobil- ity programmes offering train- ing opportunities designed to strengthen pedagogical skills. In addition, many schools adopt- ed STEAM-based learning, in- tegrating science, technology, engineering, the arts and math- ematics, to foster creativity and critical thinking. For educators, participation in Erasmus+ has become an im- portant avenue for professional renewal. Teachers taking part in mobility programmes, including job shadowing and international training, often return with ex- posure to different classroom cultures and teaching methods. These experiences can enhance digital competence, introduce innovative pedagogical ap- proaches and strengthen profes- sional confidence. Equally important is the expan- sion of professional networks. Cross-border collaboration has enabled Maltese educators to build long-term partnerships with colleagues in other Eu- ropean countries, facilitating the exchange of ideas and good practice. In many cases, teachers returning from Erasmus+ place- ments assume informal leader- ship roles within their schools, sharing newly acquired methods with colleagues. The benefits extend to pupils as well. Mobility experienc- es expose students to diverse cultures and learning environ- ments, helping them develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. For many young participants, trav- elling abroad as part of a struc- tured educational programme also fosters independence and self-confidence. Such experiences can be par- ticularly significant for pupils who might otherwise have lim- ited opportunities to travel. Ex- posure to other cultures and ed- ucation systems often broadens students' perspectives, reinforc- ing a sense of belonging within a wider European community built around shared values of co- operation and inclusiveness. The programme's influence is also felt beyond the classroom. Families frequently report great- er engagement in their children's education following Erasmus+ participation, while local com- munities benefit from stronger links with European initiatives and institutions. Over time, this growing in- volvement is creating what ed- ucators describe as a ripple ef- fect. Teachers disseminate new methods within their schools, leadership teams integrate inter- national collaboration into long- term strategies, and institutions become increasingly experi- enced in managing European partnerships. For Malta's education sys- tem, the record participation observed in 2025 suggests that Erasmus+ is evolving from an occasional opportunity into a central element of school devel- opment—one that continues to connect local classrooms with a wider European learning land- scape. Over time, this growing involvement is creating what educators describe as a ripple effect