Historical Background
The Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools was set up by the Government of Malta in May 2001, to develop, build, upgrade, refurbish, maintain, and manage state-owned schools as required from time to time by the Education authorities, and in so doing, to convert them from ‘today’s schools’ into ‘tomorrow’s schools.
The FTS is directed by a Board, presided by a Chairperson. The Chairperson and Board Members are appointed for a definite term by the Minister responsible for education.
Executive decisions and daily operations are the direct responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer who leads a management team.
The full-time staff complement is approximately 50 employees, the majority of which are professional and technical, who are responsible for the architectural design and engineering services, procurement processes, project implementation and corporate services.
In recent years FTS has been handling projects which go beyond the mere building of schools. Investment has been made on interactive white boards, CCTV cameras, photovoltaic panels, science and vocational education laboratories, ICT equipment and on major sports facilities intended to serve not only students but whole communities.
With the change in administration in 2013, two major new principles in education in Malta and Gozo were introduced, namely co-education and the introduction of Middle Schools between the primary and secondary levels of education. These new policies required several changes within the existing educational buildings as well as new design approach. The introduction of co-education requires schools to be more inclusive of both genders, while the introduction of Middle Schools necessitated smaller educational buildings accommodating preferably not more than 550 students. This gave rise to significant alterations, refurbishments, and extensions and, in some cases the construction of additional blocks within existing school complexes.
During the past years, FTS has been prioritizing the environment both when constructing the school, such as the materials used, as well as the daily operation of school buildings. FTS continuously aims to develop school buildings which produce close to zero emissions.
FTS also gives particular attention to any archaeological remains found on site. After a thorough investigation and analyses by archeologists, such remains are integrated into the design of the buildings and given a modern purpose within the school complex, such as an interpretation centre or a learning space for history classes.
During the past years FTS has been investing heavily in its human resource. Its employees are encouraged to take up training opportunities, including those of an academic level and which are sponsored by the entity. In 2022, FTS signed its first-ever Collective Agreement for its employees, guaranteeing excellent working conditions and highly competitive remuneration packages. FTS also joined the Malta Employers’ Association (MEA) and the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD). It also achieved the FHRD HR Quality Mark certification which officially recognises FTS for its HR competence and professionalism.
Purpose
We believe that work should be purposeful. It should feel meaningful. It should make a positive difference in people’s lives. It should contribute to make the world a better place.
While a purpose is confirmed by an organisation’s senior team; what defines it emanates from the way stakeholders, the community and society benefit from its work and deliverables.
When employees feel that their work is meaningful, they exhibit greater job performance, commitment, and engagement – and thus, enhanced well-being.
The objective of having a corporate purpose is for the entity to have a purpose which helps its team have a sense of identity, relevance, and above all, pride.
The corporate purpose helps the organisation’s team to be part of a meaningful legacy.
In 2023, following consultation with all employees, FTS adopted this purpose:
Creating high quality learning spaces in a sustainable manner to serve as a cornerstone for present and future generations and communities entrusted to us and society at large.
