Evaluating the effectiveness of the PSD programme : perceptions of final year secondary school students

Abstract

Personal and Social Development (PSD) has been part of the time-table for some years in Maltese schools. This qualitative study aims to gain insight on the effectiveness of the PSD syllabus based on the perceptions of eight Form 5 students. It evaluated whether the aims of PSD have been reached, which topics students regarded as their favourites and the most helpful, what personal qualities they found desirable in their PSD facilitators and whether PSD was relevant to their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four male and four female students in two Area Secondary schools in Malta. Their experience of PSD lessons throughout the five years was analyzed. Students were also given the opportunity to make any suggestions in relation to PSD, a subject they loved and regarded as important. It was indicated that PSD was relevant to young people's lives because it helped them to start appreciating themselves more. The need for additional PSD lessons per week also emerged. PSD facilitators should be well trained and possess ideal qualities and skills. An effective PSD syllabus should be regularly updated through continuous evaluations so as to meet students' needs in a dynamic society.