Applications for Lifelong Learning Courses started being accepted in Great Siege Square, Valletta, this morning.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina said that 9,890 adults followed such courses last year, a 32 per cent increase over the previous year.

She said that 70 per cent of those who follow such courses were women. This meant that more women were seeking to increase their abilities and qualifications.

They were showing commitment to work and were willing to advance in their careers assuming bigger responsibilities. This was an important signal, which conformed to the government policy of encouraging more women to work.

Ms Cristina said that these courses were considered ‘second chance education’.

More than 100 courses in 45 academic subjects at all levels were to be offered weekly. A total of 500 courses in 150 subjects were to be offered in all, on different days and at different times and localities.

Twenty new subjects were to be introduced this year, including new languages such as Chinese, Russian, Swedish and Latin.

More innovative courses, such as on creative thinking, consumer rights and investing wisely, were also to be offered.

The minister also announced that the government is expanding the school of music to make the learning of music more accessible with courses that would be offered in centres at every college.

This will start next year and people wanting to take up music training should apply by September 3.

Eventually, those taking up courses at these centres who would want to follow more advanced studies would be able to take up specialised courses at the School of Music, which is to be repaired and restored.

During this process courses which used to be held at the school will be held at other centres.

Applications are being received until September 3.

http://www.eveningcourses.gov.mt/