https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1017 2026-06-26T11:03:30Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147680 Title: Results from Malta’s 2025 GoPE! Country card Authors: Decelis, Andrew Abstract: Background: Physical activity (PA) is fundamental to the healthy growth, development and well-being of children and adolescents. Physical education (PE) plays a central role in fostering physical literacy by developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and understanding necessary for lifelong engagement in PA. The first Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!) 2025 Malta Country Card provides a systematic overview of the current status of PE. [excerpt] 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147675 Title: Results from Malta’s 2025 GoPA! Country card Authors: Decelis, Andrew Abstract: Background: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases in Malta and contributes substantially to the global burden of mortality. The Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) 2025 Malta Country Card provides a comprehensive overview of physical activity prevalence, along with the status of policies, surveillance systems, and research capacity. This Country Card identifies gaps and priority areas requiring targeted action to improve population-level physical activity. [excerpt] 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143338 Title: Skip a Rope for Fitness (SkaRF) : a school-based intervention to promote physical activity and fundamental movement skills in Maltese children Authors: Decelis, Andrew Abstract: Physical inactivity among children is a growing concern across Europe. In Malta, only 24% of eleven-year-olds meet the WHO’s recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. The SkaRF (Skip a Rope for Fitness) project was developed as a school-based intervention to increase physical activity and improve motor competence through rope skipping. This quasi-experimental study was implemented over three years with students aged 8 to 11. In Phase 1, 60 Year 4 students were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged in 15-minute daily skipping sessions for four weeks. In Phase 2, the former control group joined the intervention in Year 5. In Phase 3, all students repeated the four-week intervention in Year 6. Five testing points were recorded: pre- and post-intervention in Phases 1 and 2, and post-intervention in Phase 3. [excerpt] 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142293 Title: Bridging theory and practice : implementing the Maltese physical education curriculum Authors: Decelis, Andrew Abstract: This paper offers a critical analysis of the Maltese Physical Education (PE) curriculum, examining the integration of its theoretical principles with practical implementation. The curriculum is underpinned by a robust theoretical framework, aiming to foster holistic development and physical literacy through student-centred, constructivist, and model-based approaches. However, a significant gap exists between these theoretical ideals and their practical application within schools. The analysis identifies key challenges, including teachers' predominant use of summative assessments, a lack of professional development in Assessment for Learning (AfL) and non-physical domain evaluation, and insufficient hands-on training in diverse pedagogies. Systemic and contextual barriers such as inadequate PE time, large class sizes, and poor facilities compound these issues. The low status of PE within the educational system further diminishes teacher motivation and retention, collectively undermining the subject's potential to develop physically literate and healthy youth, which contributes to high inactivity and obesity rates. The report concludes by proposing a series of recommendations, including, among others, enhancing initial and ongoing teacher training in assessment and diverse needs, addressing systemic issues by increasing PE time and improving facilities, and strategically elevating the subject’s status to ensure PE receives the necessary resources to maximise its contribution to a healthier and more active Maltese population. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z