The H&S Unit is working to promote awareness among all students on health and safety issues. There are sixteen peripatetic H&S teachers in all. These work in pairs as follows: four teams of two service the primary schools of three colleges per team in Malta, while the fourth pair service Gozo; another pair services the ‘special’ schools by which we mean the six schools for children with special needs and any place where children learn that is not a regular college school; while the last pair are running a H&S program particularly designed for the school leavers of the secondaries especially those who are not academically inclined and who would probably not continue their education beyond Form 5. There are also two other teachers, one in Maria regina and the other in Gozo teaching the very young in a project named “Catch-‘em-young”.

The appointment of Health and Safety teachers at Secondary level has almost attained the required number. In fact there are now 47 Health and Safety teachers. All this has facilitated the organisation of a structured Health and Safety programme in State Schools.

Apart from teaching Years 4; 5; and 6 in the primary sector, the peripatetic H&S teachers laid emphasis on the upgrading of fire-fighting equipment and fire alarm systems. Evacuation drills were planned and carried out in all schools in Malta and Gozo. Now we are working on an educational programme on basic hygiene (with particular reference to AH1N1) which is being delivered in all primary schools during the first weeks of this scholastic year.

In the Secondary and Post Secondary sector activities include safety audits, upgrading of fire-fighting facilities and fire alarm systems. Safety weeks, talks by the Malta Red Cross Society and seminars are also organised. Evacuation drills are planned and carried out.

The ongoing education of Health and Safety teachers are also seen to, through regular Staff Development courses and on site visits.