Church schools welcome 17,000 students for new scholastic year

Around 17,000 students began their scholastic year on Monday across Church schools in Malta and Gozo.

Of these, approximately 1,950 newly registered students are beginning their education at a Church school this year.

More than 3,000 educators have started or continued their educational journey, including around 150 who are new to the Church school community.

The figures cover all 55 Church schools in Malta and Gozo, spanning kindergarten, primary, secondary and post-secondary levels.

State schools will open their doors to students on Wednesday.

The figures were announced in a statement issued by the Curia, which said Church schools remain committed to strengthening critical thinking and discernment in a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.

In preparation for the new scholastic year, the Secretariat for Catholic Education organised formation sessions for educators, stressing that their role extends beyond teaching and professional duties.

“Every educator is called to accompany each student on his or her journey,” the statement read.

During this scholastic year, the secretariat will prioritise the implementation of the Church Schools Identity Document, launched in May 2026.

Responding to Pope Leo XIV’s call for Catholic education to draw “new maps of hope”, the document presents a vision of schools as Christ-centred communities founded on the dignity of every person and open to the diverse realities of Maltese society.

In the coming months, the secretariat will also continue to focus on the formation of educators, school leaders, staff and parents, with the aim of further strengthening the Catholic identity of schools in practice.

The secretariat thanked school heads, educators and other staff members who contribute to the Church’s educational mission.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna wished students and educators a school year marked by “respect for one another, unity among ourselves, in human wisdom but also the wisdom of life, the wisdom that marvels at creation and cares for it, that admires each other's talents and cares for one another, that looks to the future with hope and enthusiasm.”

Scicluna also urged students to use social media responsibly and respectfully outside school hours.

“The continued interest of parents in Church schools shows trust in this mission, which offers a complete formation to every child,” Delegate for Catholic Education Fr Mark Ellul said.

“This trust brings with it a serious responsibility towards students, families and the whole of Maltese society because the education offered by Church schools remains founded on respect for the dignity of every person.”

Details about enrolment for the 2027-2028 scholastic year are expected to be announced in November 2026 on church.mt.