Global COVID-19 Epidemic: ‘The Perfect Storm’ for ELT Sector – FELTOM
8752 Mins Read
English Language Schools Meet Top Government Officials
Over the past two weeks, the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM) has mobilised all its resources to be able to address the current Coronavirus global epidemic and the manner in which the latest developments have affected the English Language Teaching (ELT) industry.
The sector has always been an important contributor to Malta’s tourism industry and the economy at large with an average of €137.2 million generated every year according to Deloitte’s 2019 report. The sector also employs around 2,000 people according to the NSO’s 2018 statistics, not to mention the hundreds of host families and rental accommodations that are also being impacted.
The current situation has created what FELTOM describes as “the perfect storm” for all English language teaching organisations. The sector was the first to start feeling the effects of this epidemic, effects that were confirmed by a survey carried out by Deloitte amongst FELTOM member schools which represent 85% of the total ELT industry in Malta. This report showed a cancellation rate in March and April in excess of 40% and a progressive slow-down in booking pace which has already reached 45% for the summer months. (Data as gathered seven (7) days ago, with the situation deteriorating by the day).
With this in mind, FELTOM has, to date, held a meeting with the Minister responsible for Tourism to discuss the implications the situation has been having on the sector. FELTOM will also be meeting with the Minister of Education to voice similar concerns. A formal position paper outlining the needs of the industry has been submitted to the government.
The English Language School operators have always contributed to the Maltese economy, generating employment and revenues permeating various fields of the Maltese economic fabric. Teachers, office and ancillary staff, group leaders, host families, transport providers, guides, restauranteurs and other service providers will undoubtedly all be adversely affected.
We now need all the support required to help us weather the storm.
