Following the newly implemented Learning Outcomes in the Education Department, the PSCD teachers at Zabbar Primary B organised week-long career educational talks and activities for all pupils. These talks focused on topics such as Occupations in the Community, Gender Equality, Future Jobs and Health and Safety at the Workplace.

Year 6 pupils attended a talk by Zabbar Local Council Mayor, Mr Marc Vella Bonnici who discussed different careers in various sectors and the importance of every job. Through his role as a Mayor, he could address the principles of responsibility, helping each other, listening to others’ needs and voluntary work.

Ms Elizabeth Saliba, Officer at the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, spoke to the Year 5 and Year 4 pupils about the health and safety issues at the workplace with all occupations. The children could assess the risks found in a specific job site through an interactive, audiovisual presentation.

Mr Andre Callus, Executive at the National Commission for Gender Equality, addressed the gender social expectations with the Year 3 pupils and helped them understand that they can achieve whatever they wish as long as they work for it, no matter if they are boys or girls.  They discussed stereotypes and challenged what girls and boys are expected to do.

Each Year Group closed off the Career Exploration Week with a presentation by Ms Ylenia Vella, Unit Manager at Jobsplus. Ms Vella focused on the skills necessary for all careers, which skills they would have learnt from their childhood hobbies and experiences such as time management, leadership skills, teamwork and punctuality.

These talks were prepared as part of the Career Exploration and Planning in the PSCD syllabus, which syllabus recently introduced Careers as an integral part of the subject, specifically adding the term “Career” in the subject name. The lessons on career at all school level enable students to reflect on their future career goals, to develop a career plan, to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various work alternatives, to understand the importance of employability skills and to understand the rights, duties and responsibilities of employers and employees.

Special thanks to Ms Charmaine Cassar and Leonoara Azzopardi, the PSCD teachers at school, for  this great initiative.