School stabbing 'highlights need to strengthen youth services'
Association calls for targeted programmes for vulnerable adolescents and sustained collaboration between schools, families, and mental health services
The Malta Association of Youth Workers has stressed the urgent need for improved youth work services in schools and communities following the stabbing of a 14-year-old student in Pembroke.
The incident, which occurred at St Clare College Secondary School on Monday, saw one student stab another just before school began.
The association said the incident highlighted the “urgent need to strengthen youth work services across Malta’s schools and communities”.
It called for “the placement of qualified youth workers within school communities, targeted programmes for vulnerable adolescents, and sustained collaboration between schools, families, mental health services, and youth organisations.”
“Malta needs more youth workers integrated into schools, community hubs, and high-need areas,” the association said.
MAY praised the quick response of educators, emergency responders and authorities, noting their efforts helped stabilise the situation. However, it added that the event “underscores wider challenges faced by young people—challenges that go beyond the classroom and require specialised youth support.”
Youth workers play a key role in supporting students, offering them safe, judgment-free spaces to speak and seek help. “This is especially vital for youth navigating complex family situations, cultural tensions, bullying, mental health concerns, or behavioural struggles—factors that are often present in incidents such as this one,” MAY said.
Youth workers “are trained to recognise early warning signs, support emotional well-being, and mediate conflicts before they escalate,” it added.
“Adolescents need trusted adults outside the formal classroom who can provide guidance, build relationships, and help them cope with personal, social, and cultural pressures.”
The association extended its solidarity to the affected students, families and educators, and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for quality youth work across Malta and Gozo.
According to the government’s student wellbeing services, youth workers are “educators who work on personal, social, emotional and political issues” and who “work with students through non-formal and informal education mainly through project-based practices.”
Parents speaking to Times of Malta outside the school on Monday said the school needed more support and resources.