The COVID-19 and education in Malta (Cov-EM) study : perspectives of early childhood educators - research report 2

Abstract

The COVID-19 and Education Malta (Cov-EM) research project has been carried out by the Early Childhood and Primary Education Research Group within the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. A group of female academics sought to explore what can be learned from the insights of different stakeholders in Early and Primary education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malta. The study was conducted over two phases. During each phase (Phase 1 – September 2020; Phase 2 – September 2021), an online questionnaire examining three main concepts over time – teaching and learning, learning spaces and relationships and well-being – was sent to initial teacher education University students, early childhood educators (ECEs) (working with 0- to 5-year-olds), Primary Educators (working with 5- to 11-year-olds), education leaders and parents via social media. The third phase of this project (May-June 2022), which is currently in progress, will focus on children in early and primary education during post-COVID times. Perspectives of Early Childhood Educators: This research report focused on how COVID-19 impacted the personal and professional lives of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) during the first (the scholastic year 2019/2020) and second waves (the scholastic year 2020/2021) of the pandemic. The final samples in both surveys comprised 263 educators (Survey 1) and 79 educators (Survey 2). Survey 1 shows that ECEs had no immediate protocols to follow when COVID-19 hit the Maltese islands. This led to diverse reactions from leadership teams in early childhood settings for the under-fives. Half of the ECEs in Survey 1 claimed that they had to react to the situation without guidance. In Survey 2, 6.7% of ECEs indicated that they received support in 2020-2021. Survey 2 also shows that a minority of ECEs (11.1%) felt empowered in their profession. [Excerpt from Executive Summary]