Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2644
Title: Determinants of school choice : factors affecting student enrolment in independent schools in Malta
Authors: Cachia, Marie Claire
Keywords: School choice -- Malta
Private schools -- Malta
Education
Issue Date: 2014
Abstract: Education is fundamental for economic growth and for the well-being of a population and therefore it is in the interest of every country to develop better understanding of which factors are key players in the nation’s educational market, if there exists one. In Malta parents do not have a choice whether or not to send their children to school if they are of compulsory schooling age, however they can exploit their right of choice when it comes to the type of school which their children attend. This study embarks on an endeavor to investigate which factors influence parents to choose an independent school for their children’s compulsory education and which are the common characteristics that pertain to parents who choose this type of school. Quantitative research methods were employed to gather and analyse the data. The study provides empirical evidence that reasons related to academics, safety and value community are deemed to be of the utmost importance for parents who choose independent schools. Contrarily reasons related to convenience specifically preschool enrolment and before and after school childcare are perceived to be the least important. Moreover parents who send their children to independent schools perceive the overall quality of state schools to be fair. In addition results indicate that these parents are very satisfied with the current school choice and those who sent their children to a different school before enrolling in the current one reported that they were satisfied with the overall quality of the previous school. Results also show that these parents have common socio-economic and demographic characteristics especially with regards to the level of education, household income, household situation and employment. These results are discussed in relation to the literature reviewed whereby consistency with international findings is established. A set of recommendations is also presented in an attempt to present a case for the importance of having an education system that promotes social equity and justice rather than enhance social stratifying.
Description: EXECUTIVE M.B.A.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/2644
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacEma - 2014

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