More Schools Go Co-Ed: Girls Join Year 1 Across Three Institutions
Malta’s schools are buzzing with excitement this September as more of the island’s most historic institutions take a giant leap into co-education.
On Wednesday 24th September, De La Salle College Junior School in Birgu, St Benild School in Sliema (part of Stella Maris College) and St Edward’s College welcomed girls into Year 1 for the first time, marking a historic milestone for Maltese education.
At De La Salle College and St Benild School, this marks the beginning of an 11-year plan to gradually transition the schools from boys-only to fully co-educational. For the 2025/26 scholastic year, Year 1 classes have been evenly split between boys and girls, with placements determined through the Church School ballot organised nationally by the Secretariat for Catholic Education.
While all other year groups remain in the boys-only system for now, girls will gradually be introduced to higher years, reaching the senior school Year 7/Form 1 by 2031/32, with the full co-educational model completed by 2035/36.
This move comes after extensive consultation with staff, parents, and students, and reflects the Lasallian ethos of forming the whole person. By introducing co-education, the schools aim to nurture students’ growth, civic awareness, and human values in an environment where boys and girls learn, play, and grow together.
Meanwhile, St Edward’s College has taken its own historic step. For the first time in nearly a century, girls have joined the Junior School Year 1 cohort.
Headmaster Mr Nollaig Mac An Bhaird described the moment as “a landmark in the life of St Edward’s College,” noting that the inclusion of girls reflects the College’s evolving educational philosophy while reaffirming its mission to nurture well-rounded individuals in a respectful and inclusive environment.
Preparations at St Edward’s have included infrastructure upgrades, staff development, and curriculum enhancements to ensure a smooth transition to a co-educational environment that fosters collaboration, mutual respect, and academic rigour. The first day of school was marked by warm welcomes from the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Michael Paris, Headmaster Mac An Bhaird, and Head of the Early Years, Ms Stephanie Grech. Students and families were greeted with enthusiasm and given commemorative certificates to mark this special day.
Together, these developments signal a significant shift in Maltese education, combining long-standing traditions with progressive values and inclusive learning. Both the Lasallian schools and St Edward’s are preparing students to thrive in a diverse society, ensuring that boys and girls can grow, learn, and explore side by side.
As Malta’s schools embrace co-education, the message is clear: the island’s educational institutions are ready to mix a little tradition with a lot of forward-thinking energy, creating vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready learning communities.
What are your thoughts on the colleges embracing co-education after nearly a century?
Credit: St Edward’s College and La Salle Malta
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