Malta has high rates of children and young people who are either obese or overweight and this is undoubtedly a major cause of concern. Schools present unique opportunities to provide time, facilities and guidance for children and adolescents to actively participate in physical education (PE) and sport activities. The National Minimum Curriculum defines PE and sport as a basic subject to be taught in all schools at compulsory educational levels. Government has indicated through a number of channels its commitment to improve the quality, delivery and frequency of these activities in schools.

The report by the Auditor General concluded that good progress has been made in State Primary and Secondary Schools particularly following the appointment of an Education Officer for PE to monitor delivery in schools, and the establishment of a Sport Promotion Unit within the Malta Sports Council (KMS) to organise physical and sport activities during school hours. Complementary programmes outside school hours are also offered by KMS. Nonetheless, a number of issues still need to be addressed.

In State Primary Schools, the teaching of PE is being mainly carried out by Peripatetic Teachers with few Class Teachers holding additional PE lessons. As a consequence, in many Primary Schools, fewer lessons were found to be held than the four thirty-minute weekly sessions recommended by the Department for Curriculum Management and eLearning. In Secondary Schools, although lessons are being held regularly as determined by the Education Authorities, the number of PE lessons decrease in higher years.

Investment in new sport facilities and equipment has led to significant improvements in certain State Schools. At the same time, serious limitations persist in a number of other schools with regard to the suitability, maintenance and availability of facilities, in particular indoor areas.

The NAO report presents a number of recommendations including the development of a single consolidated Delivery Plan outlining how PE, sport and physical activity in schools can be increased and improved. The full implementation of this Plan will require strong leadership, commitment of resources, a gradual culture shift, and effective coordination among the different partners involved in this sector.

The NAO would like to convey its appreciation to the invaluable collaboration extended by the Education Authorities and the Malta Sports Council throughout this audit.

To view report (.PDF) please follow link.