All UK students will study mathematics until 18 years old

Jan 4 2023

Students in England will continue to study mathematics up until the age of 18 under the recommendation of new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The prime minister said that there is a deep need to reimagine the approach to numeracy in his first speech of the year.

‘Letting our children out into the world without those skills is letting our children down’ said Sunak. The details of the ‘new mission’ by the country leader will be announced ‘in due course.

However, Labour said that this would be an empty pledge if no more maths teachers are recruited. It was found that around 8 million adults in England have the numeracy skills of primary school kids.

Sunak wants pupils to study some form of maths until the age of 18, with the government exploring the routes of Core Maths qualifications, T-levels and other ‘innovative options.’

#MaltaDaily

The Valletta Baroque Festival returns this January

Jan 4 2023

Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, today announced the final preparations for the 11th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival, which will take place between 11 and 29 January 2023.

Owen Bonnici stated that this prestigious festival presents a diverse programme of 36 concerts, spread across 3 weeks within over 20 different venues all over Malta. From the striking Auberge de Provence and its magnificent Gran Salon to the splendid St John’s Co-Cathedral, and the opulent Manoel Theatre to mention a few. “The Valletta Baroque Festival will host among the most prestigious artists and ensembles of baroque music in our country, this clearly shows how dynamic the culture is and knows how to create various opportunities that cover all the niches of the creative economy”, Minister Bonnici concluded.

Malta Daily spoke with Festivals Malta Chairperson, Aaron Zahra, who encouraged the Maltese Public to attend this national event, which is the first one in Festivals Malta’s calendar of events for 2023. On the other hand, Artistic Director, Kenneth Zammit Tabona described the Baroque Festival as “a dream of a project, very close to his heart.”

The opening concert ‘The Dettingen Te Deum and other Handelian hits’, which will be performed by the Valletta Baroque Ensemble and Kor Malta under the musical direction of Christian Curnyn at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, will set the tone for the festival. The festival will wrap up with the world premiere of a mass by Italo-Maltese composer Girolamo Abos at the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta which will be performed by The Monteverdi Project and Cantar Lontano, under the musical direction of Marco Mencoboni. The festival has a stellar line-up, Some of the artists will be Mahan Esfahani, Charlie Siem, Gabetta Consort with Valer Barna-Sabadus, Vasillis Varvaresos, Avi Avital, and many more. Following last year’s success, this year’s edition will also see the return of The Rock Troupers & the Valletta Baroque Ensemble with their project BaRock at the Manoel Theatre.

The Valletta Baroque Festival is being organised in collaboration with The Manoel Theatre and VisitMalta.

#MaltaDaily

Restoration at Franciscan Church of Our Lady of Jesus underway

Jan 4 2023

The Restoration Directorate within the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government are working on The Franciscan Church of Our Lady of Jesus Conservation Area of Valletta –
During a press conference addressed by Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, it was explained that the restoration works, which are being implemented with an investment of €300,000, started in October 2022 and are expected to be completed by the end of January 2024.

“This restoration fulfils our cultural strategy in a way that our heritage is more accessible,” Dr Bonnici concluded.

“This Government is committed to continue safeguarding the Church and the internal artefacts, to improve not only the facilities but also the necessary restoration so that the Church continues to be a temple for Christians and can be enjoyed by the public and the tourists.”

The Architect responsible for this project, Jean Frendo, explained how cleaning the stone’s face is important to remove all accumulation of carbon, sulphurous compounds, and other contaminants but carried out in such a way as to retain the patina of time.

“After removing and cleaning cement and plaster coatings, disintegrated limestone masonry will be replaced with course heights matching the original. Stonework that is deteriorated to the extent that threatens stability, distorts the architectural appearance of the building or is dangerous to users or passers-by will be replaced,” Frendo concluded.

Any paint, cement rendering or plaster coatings are being removed with care from any area where they occur on the façade, ensuring no damage is done to the surfaces underneath. Cement rendering occurs mainly in the lower areas of the walls of the church and the bell tower.

#MaltaDaily

HPV vaccine extended to boys as well in step forward for Maltese sexual health

Jan 4 2023

In a recent press conference addressed by Deputy Prime Minister & Health Minister Chris Fearne together with Charmaine Gauci, it was revealed that the government will be extending the HPV vaccination to young males as well.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common STI among people in their late teens and early 20s. Amongst other symptoms, it is also known to cause cancer, which is why vaccination is recommended for children at age 11 or 12.

During the conference, Fearne reported that the vaccine will be extended to male recipients who welcome the government’s invitation, with over 90% of females accepting the invitation for their vaccine.

12-year-old girls are to receive two doses for free whilst 15-year-olds are administered 3 doses, saving a total of €150 on their vaccination.

The risk of uterus cancer drops drastically when taking the vaccine. Since 2013, Malta has offered the HPV vaccine to girls who have turned 12.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “nearly everyone will get HPV at some point in their lives.”

#MaltaDaily