Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/368911
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 AUGUST 2014 Opinion 22 E ducation should not be restricted to studies in a classroom. Lifelong learning emphasises the need for lifelong education. It is an on-going process of learning and through adult education we can help develop the community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development and greater social cohesion. There is a great economic impact worldwide from learning for all age groups and the number of interest-based subjects helps broaden the general level of education in our country. The Directorate for Lifelong Learning and Early School Leavers has the mission to increase participation in adult learning and to address the imbalances in participation to achieve a more equitable state of affairs. It is responsible for the selection, recruitment and placement of adult educators within its different sectors, namely the seven Centres for Evening Classes, the Lifelong Learning Centre in Msida as well as courses offered at community level. The directorate is guided by the vision that people can and should be given the opportunity to learn throughout their lives. Learning should play a full role in personal growth, solidarity and local and global responsibility. Our drive is to empower citizens through more personalised and innovative approaches in adult learning. By the end of 2013, the Directorate for Lifelong Learning engaged 279 adult educators on a part-time basis in the teaching and support of adult learning classes. The directorate continues to train and recruit adult educators who are specialised in various fields. Throughout the learning year 2013/2014, the directorate received 13,001 applications for adult learning courses. A considerable majority of these applicants (67%) are female, outnumbering male participants by a 2:1 ratio. Over the past years, the courses offered by the unit have continued to attract more learners. In 2013/14 there was a substantial increase of adult learners as compared to 2008/2009 when around 5,500 learners were enrolled. The introduction of an online system has facilitated the method of registration and online payment, thus simplifying the system. Support is provided to those persons who are not IT conversant and who need help with online registration and online payments. This coming scholastic year, 110 subjects are being offered at different levels. Courses in the 2014/2015 year have been grouped under several categories. There is a wide range of subjects including courses in 13 languages. Other topics vary from Digital Competences (13 subjects) to Mathematics, Science and Technology, to Sense of Initiative and Entrepreneurship, in which several subjects are being offered, and Family Learning (four subjects). Courses in Vocational Education & Training feature prominently in the coming year's programme, with around 38 subjects. These are offered at different levels and this year there are up to 890 courses offered across seven Adult Learning Centres, 40 local council and 17 NGOs and community centres in Malta and Gozo. Lifelong learning is not restricted to adult learning. The directorate is also responsible for the Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Malta and Gozo. In October 2013, a total of 3,773 learners were registered and attended the Visual & Performing Arts Schools. Courses are offered in art, drama and music. The directorate is now working to ensure more collaboration between the three artistic studies. The Xewkija Visual and Performing Arts School will ensure that such synergies between creative disciplines are created and exploited. The Visual and Performance Arts Schools should offer clear and effective exposure to meaningful cultural and creative practices. Our vision is for these schools to provide excellence in the formative needs of educators and students who pursue training leading to creative careers. We want to ensure that a framework for professional recognition, accreditation and networking is sustained to cater for the professional development in art, drama and music. We also believe that these schools also play a significant role in developing cultural awareness and this would help the community appreciate, actively participate in and bolster audiences at national and international cultural events. Evarist Bartolo is Minister of Education and Employment M any consider Gozo to be quite a unique 'tourism destination' with distinct characteristics that differentiate the product from that of Malta. Over the years, Gozo has been positively perceived as a destination that is tranquil; rich in culture and history; rural and scenic; relatively unspoilt; and with a good feeling atmosphere. According to recent Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) surveys, 97% of international visitors to Gozo attribute high positive ratings to the hospitality of Gozitans and their overall stay, and as many as 36% state that their experience exceeded their expectations. A third of the visitors choose Gozo as a result of a previous visit, whereas a further 18% base their choice on recommendations of friends and relatives. This also shows how important it is to ensure that visitors to our islands are provided with the best possible experience. Another worth reference is that between January and May 2014, Gozo hotels registered an encouraging increase in nights spent by tourists, particularly the 4- and 5-star hotels, with an increase of 8% and 5% respectively over the same months under review in 2013. It is a known fact that the tourist accommodation supply in Gozo is different from that of Malta, not only in terms of mix and type, but also in terms of performance. The total number of tourist licensed beds in Gozo is just over 5,000, of which circa 60% are in self-catering type accommodation, which includes farmhouse type units. Within this context, the Ministry for Tourism extended the ECO certification for farmhouse accommodation in 2013 and during May of this year we have awarded the first seven farmhouses in Gozo. The decision to designate Gozo as an eco destination was in principle a good one however it was not really supported by the previous administration with adequate planning policies to see the process through to long term sustainability. The development process of an eco- designated Gozo needed to have a proper eco-conservation framework for it to succeed. The government is firmly determined to confer Gozo a separate identity and recognise it as a different destination. In the past weeks and to this end, I have launched a consultative committee that is working on a long term Vision for Gozo as a tourism destination in its own right with the ambit of the national tourism strategic plan. Gozo's countryside provides tourists with a quiet, peaceful and green ambience. I believe that enhancing the countryside is an essential step, including the development of more countryside footpaths and information about them, investments in tree planting and landscaping projects, upgrading of existing belvederes and the creation of new ones along the periphery of the attractive Gozitan villages. This will certainly help to strengthen the potential of agro-tourism in Gozo, which is a huge aspect in this sector. Gozo also offers a number of unique visitor attractions. Among the most important are the Ggantija megalithic temples which pre-date the pyramids of Egypt, the mystic and spectacular coastal views at Dwejra, and the Ta' Pinu sanctuary that has a religious significance which is sufficient to justify pilgrimages to the shrine. The appeal of the Citadel in Victoria is however unmatched, as it remains the most visited attraction in Gozo. I would like to remind that important projects were completed this year, consisting of the creation of four new country walks, three on the island of Gozo and one on the island of Comino, the upgrading of four existing country walks on the island of Gozo and the creation of a heritage Trail in the village of ix-Xaghra. The seaside resorts of Marsalforn and Xlendi are very important components of the Gozo tourism product. Improving access to the coast and investing in the related facilities is crucially important and in conjunction with the Ministry for Gozo, I am actively working on this aspect also. The coast brings me to a segment which has developed extremely well in Gozo, namely diving, a segment that clearly has the potential for further growth. Over the past decade, we have witnessed the organisation of various cultural activities in Gozo, more importantly during the winter months. These have registered a significant appeal over a short period of time, such as the Nadur carnival and the Bethlehem village in Ghajnsielem over the Christmas period. Crafts, like lace making and glass blowing also add to the appeal of the destination. Gozo also offers a number of gastronomic experiences which are very important, as we are seeing unprecedented growth across Europe in gastronomic tourism. These are but some of the products that, if well developed, add to the attractiveness of the island and can help boost business, especially during the lean periods, when we mostly need it. Gozo certainly has the opportunity and potential to expand on existing niche markets, such as heritage tourism, gastronomic, cultural, health, nature and agro tourism. We should consider driving tri- level initiatives for Gozo, involving health, nature and culture, bundled in one package, as this will help addressing seasonality concerns. Cruise passenger business is another segment that has growth potential and is a sector my ministry has been actively working on over the past months. Another important niche that the government is seeking to continue exploiting is the film industry. This business in Gozo is attracting a huge interest of international media, especially thanks to latest film production, which, in turn, leads to an optimistic mark for the islands' tourism sector. This will assist in having an economic injection for both the island and its residents. But Gozo also handsomely benefits from domestic tourism, which is a highly influential factor on the economic success of the island. NSO figures show that the number of domestic tourists arrivals in Gozitan hotels and guesthouses during 2013 increased by 5.7%. Interestingly, domestic travel is relatively high between January and March and so is its average spend. This reinforces the importance to build on the products, characteristics and activities that are found to be more appealing to this market segment, as we may be failing to sufficiently distinguish between international and domestic tourism needs and tend to assume that the tourism product offer will cater for the needs of both. I commend the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) for its good work and initiatives to promote Gozo both as an all-year-round and distinct tourist destination. Representing all sectors in the tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, diving centres, self catering establishments, tourist attractions and others, the GTA secures, fosters and promotes the fullest cooperation of the members to ensure tourists enjoy their stay on this beautiful island. Gozo certainly has the potential for further tourism growth. More than ever, visitors nowadays travel to experience something different, and this requires the identification, and subsequent development, of the competitive strengths of Gozo, that are definitely many. Visitors are also becoming more discerning on choice, as well as on quality. Delivering quality is not just about offering a qualitative product and service, but also about bringing out the special distinctive features and flavours of the destination. I am confident that if we work together we can make of Gozo a distinct tourism destination of excellence. Edward Zammit Lewis is Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis Making learning lifelong Destination Gozo The Directorate for Lifelong Learning and Early School Leavers is guided by the vision that people can and should be given the opportunity to learn throughout their lives. Evarist Bartolo