Bridging non-formal and formal education for the empowerment of girls

Abstract

This project investigates how value- and skill-based learning can be integrated in non formal education (NFE) settings, specifically the Malta Girl Guides (MGG), to enhance girls’ empowerment. Drawing on Hellison’s (2011) Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model - widely used in physical education for its focus on respect, cooperation, and leadership - the study explores how skill-based education (SbE), values-based education (VbE), and the Girl Guide method can work together to nurture lifelong skills and positive values. SbE emphasises real-world application and hands-on practice (Bhasme, 2024), while VbE aims to cultivate citizens who embody positive morals and beliefs grounded in universal values (Adiba et al., 2023). The Girl Guide method, developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS, 2024) and anchored in five principles - small group learning, progressive self-development, experiential learning, world connectivity, and social engagement - employs practical skills to underscore the organisation’s core values. In light of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF, 2023) findings that approximately 119 million girls globally lack access to education, this project underscores the critical need for girl empowerment initiatives. It aims to develop activity packs that equip girls with practical skills and strong values, providing physical education (PE) teachers and Girl Guide leaders with concrete tools for engaging, skill- and value-based activities that support more inclusive and equitable learning.