The Functions, Objectives and Responsibilities of the Department of Planning and Development are to:

(a) Continually develop new initiatives, and to set policy, aimed at planning for the improved quality of education and to ensure their proper and timely implementation.

(b) Initiate research proposals within the Department of Planning and Development in collaboration with other Departments, the University of Malta and other institutions so as to design programmes for qualitative planning and international benchmarking of the Maltese system.

(c) Monitor the implementation of strategic and operational plans to ensure quality, quantity, timeliness and results in relation to planned objectives and expected outcomes.

(d) Oversee the development of a comprehensive research and statistics function, ensuring that records and data are kept current and disseminated in a timely fashion.

(e) Oversee the compilation of a hierarchical management information system that assists senior management in their decision-making activities.

(f) Prepare and monitor forecasts of school population growth and school population mobility.

(g) Liase with the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools so as to draw up a three-year plan detailing the required capital works and maintenance works to respond to such school population shifts and demands. Such planning decision will also be reflected in the business plan submissions that will be prepared on a yearly basis and which shall be updated regularly.

(h) Monitor progress in all capital projects and maintenance works in state schools.

(i) Continually promote Health and Safety in all State Schools.

(j) Manage the Capital Expenditure Equipment Imprest, the Materials and Supplies Imprest and the Maintenance Imprest.

(k) Establish and foster good working relationships with external stakeholders including Local Councils and MEPA.