The Maltese education system frustrates me because it asks too much, too soon, and offers too little in return. At an age when students should explore their interests, they must choose subjects that will define their paths. Early specialization narrows options and leaves little room for discovery. Instead of fostering creativity or critical thinking, students memorize, regurgitate, and forget, leaving them ill-prepared for the real world. Exams dominate the year, creating intense stress for students and families alike. Homes become battlegrounds of revision, sleepless nights, and anxiety, turning learning into a source of dread.
Beyond stress, many children openly say they hate school. They feel unmotivated, disengaged, and unwilling to put in effort. This is not laziness; it is a symptom of a system that drains curiosity. When education focuses solely on memorization, exams, and grades, students lose the joy of learning.
The situation is equally unfair for teachers, who are responsible for shaping the adults of tomorrow. In Malta, teachers earn roughly €17,509 annually, below the European average of €25,055. Fact-check: How much do teachers earn?. To become qualified, they must complete a 3–4-year specialized undergraduate degree followed by a 2-year Master in Teaching and Learning (MTL). With similar time commitments, graduates in other fields earn far higher salaries, making teaching less attractive.
Unsurprisingly, 97 teachers resigned last year due to low pay, high stress, and lack of support. MUT concern as almost 100 educators resign in a year. A particularly alarming example is the shortage of math teachers: only five people are currently studying to teach math at secondary level, meaning only two to three new teachers enter the profession each year. In comparison, 15 study English, 25 Maltese, and 93 primary education. Only Five People Studying To Become Maths Teachers In Malta As Minister Gives Coy Update On Salary Raise Talks. Without enough qualified teachers, class sizes grow, quality suffers, and fewer students are inspired to become educators themselves.
Change is urgently needed. Malta’s education system must become more holistic and less exam driven. Students should explore a wider range of skills before specializing. Learning should focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Teachers must be fairly paid and respected, so the profession attracts talent rather than repels it.
This is not just a personal concern; it affects the whole country. Despite years of compulsory schooling, many Maltese students struggle with basic literacy and numeracy. Malta also has one of the highest rates of private tutoring in Europe, showing that families know the system alone is insufficient. Private lesson mania: Six in 10 Maltese pupils get private tuition. If we want a strong economy, engaged democracy, and vibrant culture, we need an education system that produces capable, confident, and creative citizens.
If we truly care about Malta’s future, we must care about education. We must demand reforms that delay early specialization, reduce reliance on stressful exams, and invest in teachers. Education should not be a factory of stress and forgotten facts—it should be the foundation for growth, opportunity, and a brighter Malta.