Saint John Baptist De La Salle: pioneer of modern education
John Baptist De La Salle is a source of inspiration for many educators around the world, providing them with insight into the way education should be imparted to youth and to children with different needs. This he did especially through the Congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools which he founded.
After their expulsion from France in 1903, the De La Salle Brothers spread all over Europe. Some of them settled in Malta and started carrying out their mission here.
Their first house with a college was opened at Cospicua in 1903; the second was inaugurated at Sliema in 1904. The latter house, under the name of Stella Maris College, was transferred to Gżira in 1938, and the former, under the title of De La Salle College, moved to Vittoriosa in 1939.
The Frères, as they became known locally, were of great benefit to Maltese society. They taught at the Floriana Seminary (1903-1904), at St Joseph Institute, Santa Venera (1905-1923), as well as in the Oratory at Birkirkara (1912-1916).
They were also entrusted with the training of male teachers-to-be in State schools (1947-1973). This teaching started in St Michael’s Training College in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s, which...