Syrian migrant students’ academic and social experiences in Maltese state schools : an exploratory study

Abstract

The ongoing civil war in Syria is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, millions of Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries as well as other countries afar. The Syrian crisis has resulted in the highest number of refugees in recent years, and many Syrians are now trying to build a new life in other countries, including many in Malta. Since education is a vital component of any humanitarian response, educators have a crucial role in ensuring physical and psychological security. This paper, rooted in inclusive educational practices, explores the perspectives of students from a migrant background in government-run middle schools in Malta. This qualitative study is based on four semi-structured interviews with Syrian students aged between 11 and 13 years who arrived in Malta after the start of the civil war. It explores the provision of educational support from the viewpoint of the participants, and it also investigates the barriers they face in Malta, with the hopes that these are outlined and worked upon in schools. The participants reported having positive experiences despite the challenges they faced when receiving an education in a different country than the one in which they were born. However, they also note negative experiences such as bullying and language barriers. It is recommended that educators in schools in Malta are provided with professional development opportunities where they identify ways to incorporate multicultural education within their pedagogical strategies. It is also recommended that a national policy for the integration of all students from a migrant background, including those in senior school, is introduced to smoothen such processes. Ultimately, schools in Malta should provide holistic, meaningful and authentic learning experiences for students from a migrant background as a first step towards instilling a sense of belonging.