MAVC New Offices Inaugurated

Just before the Christmas Recess, the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Education and Employment Dr Frank Fabri officially inaugurated the new offices of the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) at Hamrun Malta.

Named after the father of the Maltese language, the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College is a network of specialized schools for the Visual and Performing Arts Education in Malta and Gozo. Dr Fabri spoke about the vision for these specialized schools, specifically to gain the status of an academic cluster with the focus on the quality of teaching and learning in the visual and performing arts.

“As a college it is important to create the synergy between these specialized schools. Additionally, it is equally important to instill in our learners especially the young generations, the awareness of the economics of culture and creative industries in Malta. Especially when one considers that not less than 6.4% contribute to the Maltese GDP” voiced Dr Fabri.

Dr Fabri informed that permits are issued with regards to the restauration of the MAVC Malta School of Art in Valletta and around 5 million euros are being invested to fully refurbish this historic building in Old Bakery Street. This investment will run this building into a place for quality teaching and learning in the creative arts leading to qualifications from MQF level 1 up to MQF Level 5 (Diploma). The works just commenced and the Malta School of Art should be ready to receive the students again as from October 2020.

Apart of this, Dr Fabri referred to the plans to fully refurbish the MAVC Malta School of Music in Hamrun (ex-Maria Assumpta) with soundproofing and an extension to this school to meet the high demand of new registration of learners. Additionally, he informed that a new School for Drama and Dance, equipped with the appropriate studios and adequate spaces is planned to be incorporated also at this Hamrun Education Complex.

“The Schools within the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College cater for over 3,500 learners whose ages vary from 6 year-olds onward together with 40 full time teachers and over 100 part-time educators – all specialists in their subject area” concluded the College Principal Mr Victor Galea.

While on site visit, the Permanent Secretary, met and thanked the College Maintenance Workers for their commitment especially for the tremendous works they perform during the short summer period when the teachers and learners are not present at these schools in order to do regular maintenance – another annual investment of thousand of euros so that the staff and students can find these places welcoming and inductive for teaching and learning. Ms Maria Galea Director General Strategy and Support accompanied the Permanent Secretary during the inauguration of the new offices.