Negotiating the transition from primary to secondary school a qualitative study among Form 1 students in Malta

Abstract

The study explores the experience of students in their transition from primary to secondary school. Early adolescence is an important transitional period where issues regarding the self and identity become particularly salient. The transition from primary to secondary school may be a source of stress; however successful negotiation may result in resiliency. Educational researchers argue that problems of truancy, school failure, non-compliance and inappropriate behaviour in the early years of secondary school can often be attributed to the radical changes that occur in students' day to day lives as they make the move from one school to the next. In this study, a qualitative approach was used with the help of Single question interviews (SQUIN), where the students were asked to narrate the experience of such transition. The data gathered from this study was analysed using open coding and axial coding. The data emergent from this study indicates that the transition from primary to secondary has an impact on the majority of adolescents, on their identity and also on their self-esteem. The transition from one school culture to another caused them certain anxieties such as the fear of punishment, of getting lost and of bullying. However all of them adopted a range of coping strategies. Positive aspects of the transition were also found, such as making new friends and having a range of activities provided by the school. Recommendations for policy and service development are discussed in the concluding chapter.