Our History

THE BEGINNING...

Guidance and Counselling Services were set up within the Department of Education in September 1968, when the recommendations made by Professor J. L. Louis, a consultant sent over to Malta by UNESCO, were taken up. In 1974 the posts of Education Officer, Counsellor and Guidance Teacher were introduced and so Guidance and Counselling was formalized in our education organisational structure. In 1984 Guidance and Counselling Services established themselves in their new premises at 1, St Publius Street, Floriana.

THE DEVELOPMENT

• The 1974 Agreement between the Government and the Malta Union of Teachers, established the post of Guidance Teacher and Counsellor in the Secondary/Post-Secondary Sectors and the post of Education Officer (Guidance and Counselling).
• The Reorganization Agreement drawn up between the Government and the MUT in 1994, referring to the Classification, Re-grading and Assimilation of the Education Class specifies that one Guidance Teacher is to be assigned to every 300 students.
• Guidance Teachers have the opportunity to follow a Diploma level course of studies at the University of Malta.
• The filling of vacancies in the grade of School Counsellor is by selection following a call for application open to teachers who are in possession of a recognized qualification in counselling, and who satisfy the conditions stated hereunder.

Secondary Sector:

• have not less than 10 years teaching experience of which at least 5 years must be in State Schools, and
• have served for at least 5 years as Guidance Teachers in State Schools.

Primary Sector:

• have taught for at least 10 years in Primary State Schools.

When the Reorganization Agreements established the Post of School Counsellor for the Primary and Trade schools, they extended the service to the full range of students.

• The 1994 agreement established the post of School Counsellor in the Primary Sector for teaching grades,
• The 1996 agreement established the post of School Counsellor for instructor grades in the Trade Sector.

To date no new agreement has been drawn up to reflect current practices.

Articles: A Brief History of Guidance & Counselling in Malta: by Joseph P. Degiovanni

Malta's Guidance and Counselling Services: An Overview by Joseph M. Sammut

With acknowledgment to Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG), and editors, R.G. Sultana and J.M. Sammut, of the book: "Careers Education and Guidance in Malta - Issues and Challenges" (1997) and the respective authors.

The book is available from PEG and leading booksellers in Malta