Interview with Mr. Alfred Mifsud, National coordinator for Malta

HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CROATIA

Mr. Alfred Mifsud, headmaster of the Furtu Selvatico Boy's School in Naxxar and National coordinator for N.E.A.C. in Malta organized the First students' meeting. We interviewed him in his office. He proudly pointed out that furniture for his office was made by the students of his school.

Mr. Alfred Mifsuds office

When and how did you become a member of N. E. A.C.?

A.Mifsud: I became a member of the team long ago when I received a mail from Eugenia, the main coordinator from Italy. School also participates in some other international projects, such as Eco-schools, Globe…We also participate in project where students record interviews with old people who witnessed certain events.

TheFurtuSelvaticoSchool boy's band

How many teachers and students in your school are involved in N.E.A.C?

A.Mifsud:Two teacher and seven students are involved. We organize meetings, workshops, edit newspapers, and make films…

When do you work on project?

A.Mifsud:We work on project all the time.N.E.A.C is a part of extracurricular activities and there is no specific time saved for it. We simply work when we find it convenient.

Was it hard, in your opinion, to organize this wonderful meeting?It is really perfectly organized.

A.Mifsud:It was a great pleasure for me to do it because I wanted the students to meet, to exchange opinions, to get to know each other and finally to have a good time.

Who helped to organize TheFfirst Meeting?

A.Mifsud:The Municipality of the town Naxxarand sponsors .I don’t know if you have noticed that National TV reports about all events. Many other sponsors are involved.

Do you believe that meetings like this have future?

A.Mifsud: Of course I do. They help students and the community. All of them are included and in that way education takes more important role in the country..

You are headmaster of two schools?

A.Mifsud:Yes. One school educates students who have problems with learning and who are much more successful in working some practical skills, so they learn only a few subjects and much more time spend in workshops, playing music, painting etc. Other school has much more demanding programs for students and I become headmaster of this school this year.

How many students are there in your classes?

A.Mifsud:Fifteen in this where students need more individual approach. To be a teacher here is more difficult than in some other school. Twenty- five is the limit in another school.

How many lessons a day do the students usually have and how long does the lesson last?

A.Mifsud:Lesson lasts 45 minutes and there are 7 lessons a day.

What are the commonest methods and forms of teaching in your school?

A.Mifsud:Woprkshops, individual work, projects…

What is the social status of teachers in Malta, are you satisfied with your position?

A.Mifsud: Teachers are ranked above the average income, they are somewhere in the middle.

What is your idea about Croatia and how much do you know about it?

A.Mifsud: All that I know about Croatia, I learned from Zlata, but I would like to learn more , and I also know something about it from football, but we won’t talk about it now. All that I heard and learnt about Croatia, I won’t forget.

Napisala: Danica Crnov

Prevela: Zlata Hrženjak