The Malta Qualifications Council organized a national colloquium on the validation of non-formal and informal learning on Thursday, 4th June, 2009. The colloquium was held at Robert Samut Hall, Floriana.
Validation of non-formal and informal learning (PDF) is a new challenge on Malta’s agenda for educational reform and innovation. At present there are no systematic provisions for identification, assessment and recognition of skills and competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning or through work experience. At the same time, many examples of good practice in both summative and formative validation of non-formal and informal learning exist at the level of individual initiatives supported by social partners and organisations. One could say that the process so far has been supply-driven.
Following legislation, the Malta Qualifications Council, intends to develop a decentralized system of assessment, recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning, which can ensure that the standards and guidelines are respected through internal and external verifiers. At present, MQC, has embarked on pilot studies to develop methodological frameworks/tools, methods of assessment, sectoral skills units, together with partners such as Foundation for Human Resources Development, and Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika. The scope of such projects is to validate skills and competences acquired in non-formal and informal environments, as a means to build an individual’s capacity for further education and professional development.
A number of distinguished speakers were invited to address the audience. Amongst these were Mr Joseph Cutajar (ETC), Ms Miriam Teuma (University Of Malta), Mr Richard Curmi (MQC), Mr Josef Debono (Zaghzagh Azzjoni Kattolika), Ms Margaret Buhagiar (MPIA), Ms Silvana Camilleri (MCAST) and Ms Marvic Ann Debono (EUPA). Mr Joseph Abela Fitzpatrick, Chairman of MQC introduced the topic and Dr James Calleja, Chief Executive of MQC, gave a power-point presentation on the validation of informal and non-formal learning. The focus of the first presentation was namely on the levels of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which the validation of informal and non-formal learning will be assessed against; the fundamental principles, indicators and process of VINFL (validation of informal and non-formal learning); the benefits of validation for the individual, employer, and society; and the common European principles and methods of assessment of VINFL.
The audience included representatives from many sectors including unions and associations, youth organisations, NGOs, designated authorities, ministries, church organisations, political organisations and post-secondary institutions.
The Malta Qualifications Council is also Co-Ordinating a Leonardo da Vinci Project with a number of European Partners This INLearning Project (Validating Learning for an Inclusive Society) focuses on the validation of informal and non-formal learning and will develop a methodological framework (tool) to process such validation against the level descriptors of the EQF. This project will promote social inclusion through the recognition of other forms of learning. The project aims to develop a common methodology that can be adopted in the validation of informal and non-formal learning processes across Europe through the use of the tools: the 'Lifepass' consisting of a 'portfolio pendrive' together with an accompanying Manual which is to be used for the implementation of the validation process.
Report on the National Colloquium (PDF)
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