During the current examination period, the Examinations Department has successfully processed the applications of about 20,800 candidates who sat for more than 75,200 subject entries with Matsec and Overseas Examining boards. Furthermore, this year, the department has offered for the first time its services to the Matsec Unit for the conduct of the Matsec examinations thus creating a centralised location for the registrations and conduct of all examinations." This was announced by Mr Lino Callus, Director of the Examinations Department during the launch of the Quality Service Charter at the Examinations Department. The launch was presided by the Minister of Education, Dr Louis Galea and the Minister for Justice and Local Government, Dr Austin Gatt.

Mr Callus added that "in its efforts to become more efficient and customer friendly, the Examinations Department has also initiated the use of the Government’s common database as a result of which candidates who apply for local examinations are no longer required to produce birth certificates with their application forms. The Department is also launching its homepage on the Internet. Through this site, the public will have the opportunity to access information regarding the department and the examinations which are being offered. Interested students will also be able to e-mail an application form through the use of Internet." The Examinations Department website may be accessed at this address:  http://www.magnet.mt/home/education/exams/index.html

The Examinations Department plays a vital role in the administration of local and overseas examinations in Malta and Gozo. In fact, it provides services related to examinations to thousands of students, educators, school administrators and the general public. This year the department has conducted 11 public examinations and the number of applications received for these examinations was 1,996.

The Department has also succeeded in providing candidates who sat for Matsec and Overseas GCE examinations with centralised localities as Examinations Centres. For the first time it also succeeded in obtaining capital funds to restore and renovate its two examination centres in Valletta, in order to transform them into modern and well-equipped centres. In fact, during this year, preparatory work is being carried out so that works can be initiated as soon as the necessary permits are received and tenders issued. Improvements have also been carried out at the examinations centre in Gozo.