1. What does PSD mean to you?

To me personally P.S.D. means a lot. I was still in my final 5th year teaching practice when I applied to attend the PSD induction course that was being organized by the Education Department. I did so because I thought it would be interesting. I had no idea it was going to be a subject introduced in schools. After doing the course with Dr Ronald Sultana we were offered to start teaching the subject.In my case , to teach it I had to leave a Junior Lyceum, my main subject English and move to Gzira Boys Secondary. The first year we had whole class and the PSD room was a corridor with a shower, toilet and it was also the Art room. I was part of the first group of teachers who introduced PSE, as it as called at the time, and have never regretted my decision. For 17 years , always at Gzira Boys Secondary, I taught PSD, which basically for me covers the whole of my teaching career and which were very happy years, offering me the chance to have contact with thousands of pupils, be creative and share.

 2. How could PSD be effective in children's lives?

PSD offers pupils the chance to learn how to share, accept other pupils may have different views, work in groups, discuss, be creative, learn skills, become aware of their talents, realise they have potential, etc, etc, etc and all this they will need and use in their daily life and in the future. PSD teachers have the opportunity to work on what they feel the pupils really need, since immediacy takes over the official syllabus. The pupils are not there for the syllabus but the syllabus is there for the pupils, and it is the syllabus that must be adapted to the pupils needs and not the pupils who must adapt to the syllabus.

 3. Are there any targets for the future regarding PSD (such as teacher training, in-service training etc.)?

Yes, there are many projects and ideas Stephen and I are working on. These include on-going training, a certificate course, 9 in-service courses, the production of new resources, pilot projects, the creation of a lending resource library and so many other plans that, thanks to our Heads of Department and PSD teachers,together with the Education Division Officials, will all by time materialise.

 4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

We are always available. Do please give us a call or e-mail us, not only in times of trouble but also to share successes and ideas with us. We are one team, and we are here to support you.