Malta Celebrates Historic Achievement: Early School Leaving Rates Plunge to Record Low 8.2%

# Record low early school leavers as government reaffirms child-focused approach

Malta has hit a historic milestone in its education journey, with early school leaving rates plummeting to an all-time low of 8.2%—well below the EU target of 10% and a dramatic drop from the 21% recorded just a decade ago. The achievement, announced by Education Minister Clifton Grima on Tuesday, marks a cultural shift in a nation where traditional family expectations once prioritised immediate employment over classroom learning.

“These aren’t just statistics—they represent thousands of young Maltese lives redirected toward opportunity,” Grima declared at a press conference held at the newly refurbished Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar. The announcement comes as Malta buckles under increasing pressure to maintain its competitive edge in a European landscape where skilled labour shortages threaten economic stability.

## From factory floors to futures

The transformation is particularly striking in Malta’s historic harbour communities. In areas like Cospicua and Marsa—once reliant on dockyard employment that lured teenagers into shipbuilding apprenticeships—local colleges now report 95% retention rates through Form 5. The shift reflects changing parental attitudes, with many families who left school at 14 now pushing their children toward higher education.

“My nannu left school at 13 to work on the docks,” explains 17-year-old Maria Camilleri from Paola, currently studying for her MATSEC exams. “He tells me every day that education is our ticket out of the poverty cycle. Things are different now—my parents would be devastated if I dropped out.”

This generational change hasn’t happened by accident. The government’s “My Journey” programme, launched in 2019, created vocational tracks that blend practical skills with academic rigour, allowing students to pursue everything from maritime studies to gaming development while maintaining educational credentials. Additionally, Malta’s unique stipend system—providing students with monthly allowances through university—has removed financial barriers that once forced families to choose between education and income.

## Community roots run deep

The impact ripples through Malta’s tight-knit communities. In Gozo, where rural traditions once dictated that teenagers help with farming harvests, local band clubs now host homework sessions between rehearsals. The village festa committees, historically focused on religious celebration, increasingly sponsor educational achievement awards alongside their traditional pageantry.

“Maltese society is built on intergenerational support,” notes sociologist Dr. Anna Vella from the University of Malta. “When one child succeeds educationally, it raises expectations for their entire extended family and friendship network. We’re seeing entire villages transform their aspirations.”

The Church, too, has played an unexpected role. Parish priests across Malta now regularly reference educational achievement in their homilies, while Catholic schools—educating roughly one-third of Maltese students—have pioneered innovative support programmes for at-risk youth.

## Challenges remain despite progress

Yet significant hurdles persist. Malta’s growing foreign population faces particular challenges, with early school leaving rates among non-Maltese students hovering at 18%. The education ministry has responded with targeted intervention programmes, including intensive Maltese language support and culturally-sensitive counselling services.

“We can’t celebrate while some children remain left behind,” acknowledges Grima, announcing a €15 million investment in specialised support services for migrant communities. “True success means every child in Malta, regardless of their background, has equal opportunity to succeed.”

The gender gap also requires attention. While female early school leaving has dropped to just 5.8%, male rates remain stubbornly higher at 10.6%. The ministry’s new “Boys to Men” mentoring programme pairs successful male professionals with at-risk students, addressing what educators term the “macho culture” that sometimes equates academic achievement with weakness.

As Malta looks toward its European future, this educational transformation represents more than policy success—it’s a fundamental reimagining of Maltese identity. In a nation where family reputation and village connections have always mattered, educational achievement has become the new currency of social mobility.

The challenge now lies in maintaining these gains as Malta faces unprecedented economic pressures. With tourism revenues fluctuating and iGaming companies demanding ever-more sophisticated workforces, Malta’s educational success isn’t just about individual children—it’s about national survival in an increasingly competitive global economy.

For now, though, Malta has earned its moment of celebration. In village squares from Mdina to Marsaxlokk, parents who once feared their children would repeat their own educational struggles now dare to dream of university graduations and professional careers.