ERDF 159: e-Services: Accessibility for All

The eXS4ALL project, consisting of eID, eForms and eLearning, has enabled access to various eServices. The eID Card created a secure system enhancing accessibility to eServices for businesses and citizens, including services deployed through eForms and eLearning. The eForms Solution offers rapid deployment of eServices. The eLearning Solution delivers education-related eServices to students, parents, teachers and administrators.

eID: 1. The current identity handling databases will be converted into a single National Identity Management System (NIDMS) serving all public and private sector requirements for physical and virtual identity registration, authentication and verification. Systems will be implemented to enable Government to produce and disseminate eID Cards. The government will through national funds procure and install hundreds of public smart ID card readers which will be installed across Malta and Gozo to a wider access to e-Government services. 2. The e-ID platform which is part of this ERDF project will allow for e-ID profiling through which citizens can adopt multiple user profiles through the same unique electronic identity. Digital certificates and electronic signatures whin a consolidated national framework will enable the Government to deliver eID cards and services like contract signing and electronic filing of sensitive documents. 3. Set the framework for the development of a new generation of more secure and focused eGovernment services. 4. Establish the database pillar structure, through this project against which all the other identity databases can be eventully reorganised. eForms: As part of the eGovernment vision, the Government of Malta is by way of this project, enhancing its technical infrastructure with an e-Forms Solution. E-Forms will offer the distinct advantage E-Forms will offer the distinct advantage of enabling Government to rapidly develop and deploy e-Services and to tie these into one framework to manage the entire portfolio of public services. The availability of the solution is in fact a core element in Malta's future vision for the delivery of public services as it allows their delivery with distinct benefits to all those concerned. The public sector will deliver and the client will receive: improved customer service, professional management, cost efficiencies, operational efficiencies, user-friendly application, security, environmental friendliness, user centric public service delivery. Elearning: At present, primary and secondary schools do not have access to an eLearning Solution. The investment in an eLearning Solution for schools in Malta and will therefore be the first ever to be made. The overall objectives of the eLearning solution are the following: 1. to increase access to education services by making them available electronically; 2. to make education more accessible anytime and anywhere for students and extend learning beyond the classroom walls by making technology more ordinary for students and teachers; 3. to modernise education and transform it in accordance with the way students learn in today's digital era. Learning is becoming essentially more personalised and collaborative in nature, and students are adopting a more central and participative role; 4. to equip teachers with digital tools that will enable them to monitor their students' learning progress more effectively, tailor education around their students' needs and provide more individualised attention to increase students' attainment, share and exchange knowledge with other teachers locally and abroad for their professional development; and abroad for their professional development; and 5. to give parents unprecedendented access to their children's education and day-to-day activitiesto be able to monitor their children's learning progress and support in their scholastic attainments.

eID: The eID solution will enable various activities. Through the eXS4ALL project approximately 300,000 citizens will have: 1. A new eID card to replace the current identity card which will enable all citizens to access eServices and other online services, such as the services deployed through the eForms Solution, securely due to the security functions deployed through the NIDMS eID System and embedded within the eID card itself; 2. Immediate access to identification, authentication and digning (IAS) functions; 3. an eID card that will provide a higher level of security and trust when using the services offered by the Maltese Government online; 5. essential access to the security and trust offered by the use of the eID card through IAS functions needed to access other online platforms, current and future ones; and 6. access to the services of the National Identification Management System (NIDMS), eForms and eLearning projects, amongst others and those that may be launched in the future. The eID card is not co-financed through EU funds. eForms: Within the scope and period of this application 70 new eServices will be deployed by the end of the eXS4ALL project through the eForms platform. An increase of 3,350 citizens that will be using eGovernment services by 2015. A list of 53 new eServices has already been identified and also published with the eForms Tender. Currently there are more than 70 eGovernment services online. An additional 17 services shall be identified and implemented once the first 53 services are implemented. eLearning and Interactive Boards: The eLearning Solution will enable various activities currently undertaken offline by students, teachers, parents and administrators of approximately 103 schools to be carried online. Currently an eLearning platform is not available within schools. Approximately a total of 35,000 students will start using the eLearning Solution. Approximately 15,753 students will start using the solution by 2012 and approximately a further 19,247 students will use the eLearning solution by 2013. Through the eLearning solution the students will be able to carry out the following activities: - access an online repository of learning materials created by the teachers or other Education Officials during or after school hours; 2. store on the platform any school-related work such as notes, assignments, and homework, amongst others; 3. create an online portfolio of scholastic achievements that accumulates year after year; 4. receive and submit homework and/or assignments online; communicate by email and instant messaging, amongst others, with teachers and students; and access online school-related news and information and receive alerts through emails and SMS. The number of students' parents that will be able to use the Solution is proportionate to the above mentioned amounts for students. The students' parents will be able to carry out the following activities: 1. access the eLearning solution to view their children's personal home page to access their children's curriculum and learning material and track homework and assignments, amongst others; 2. view teachers' reports, attendance data, and grades in assessment activities; 3. communicate with teachers' through email and social networking tools; 4. view school news and information relevant to their children. Approximately a total of 4,500 teachers will start using the eLearning Solution in the following two years. Approximately 1,709 teachers will start using the solution by 2012 and approximately a further 2,791 teachers will use the solution by 2013. The teachers will be able to carry out the following activities: 1. access teaching resources created by others and customise, and create and share interactive and multimedia teaching material that can be accessed online by students and teachers; 2. store any resources and relevant work in a repository; 3. prepare and manage lesson plans online, and share with others; 4. distribute and receive homework and assignments online; 5. track students' progress in submitting homework and assignments, and use online tools to correct and grade students' work; 5. access online and manage timetables and any school-related information and news and receive alerts through email or SMS; and 6. communicate with teachers, students, parents, and administrators online through email and other communication tools. Approximately a total of 103 schools will start using the eLearning Solution in the coming two years. Approximately 58 schools will start using the solution in 2012 and 45 schools in 2013. School administrators will be able to carry out the following activities: 1. collect, store, use and manage pupil and teacher data in an effective and timely manner; 2. extract up-to-date management information such as students' attendance and attainments, amongst others, upon request from education policy makers; 3. develop automated reports and assessments for education policy makers upon request; 4. publish and disseminate information online through email and SMS alerts to students, teachers and parents; and 5. collate management information of one school or a number of schools as necessary. The educators and students of approximately 103 schools will also have access to approximately 1,876 interactive whiteboards.