Leadership, Educational Quality and Innovation

An international course ‘Leadership, Educational Quality and Innovation’ was held between the 7^th and the 11^th March 2022 in Marsalforn Gozo. This course, a KA1 Erasmusplus project, was the fruit of a partnership between Eekhout Academy and the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College, the latter being the official receiving partner.  

The sessions explored didactical skills for teachers which even empower the school as a learning organization. The 5 participants from the Malta School of Art were introduced to new teaching and learning methods that address future challenges. This leadership approach implements an innovation towards a higher education quality. The Gozo College was also part of this initiative through the active participation of the Assistant Head of Zebbug Primary and Head of Sannat Primary and Special Unit. A school study visit took place at Sannat as part of the coursework. 

The Malta School of Art was represented by Mr Umberto Buttigieg the Administrator of the School, Ms Glorian Sammut M-Grimaud the School Education Coordinator, and Art practitioners and Teachers Joyce Camilleri, Roderick Camilleri and John Paul Muscat. 

School of Art Education Co-ordinator Glorian Sammut said that “this intensive week’s training was set up in such a way to make it all enjoyable; with group interactions and interesting School Study Visit. There were many points raised that made me aware of how to tackle certain situations and which I shall be adopting. I must say that the team presenting the course have excellent communication skills and a good dose of humour – making it truly worthwhile”. 

Referring to the event, MAVC Malta School of Art Teacher, Joyce Camilleri said that “the international course in ‘Leadership, Educational Quality and Innovation’ was a valuable means to rethink and confirm previous knowledge acquired from one’s personal experiences in the educational sector throughout the years. I intend to readapt a variety of hands-on activities carried out during the sessions within the classroom with my students and with my colleagues for professional development purposes. It was interesting to listen to the foreign participants’ diverse contexts and realities, which at times overlapped and other times totally contrasted with the local situation. The tutors made the course a fun journey into teaching and learning as symbiotic educational processes.”