Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37230
Title: The experience of multiculturalism in schools in Malta : a qualitative exploration
Authors: Debono, Mariella
Keywords: Multicultural education -- Malta
Education, Secondary -- Malta
Public schools -- Malta
Educational sociology -- Malta
Issue Date: 2018
Citation: Debono, M. (2018). The experience of multiculturalism in schools in Malta: a qualitative exploration (Master's dissertation).
Abstract: This dissertation focuses on the experience of multiculturalism in schools in Malta from a sociological perspective. Drawing on a number of scholarly works, multiculturalism is analysed both in terms of the changes brought about by the increase in pupils with different national, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and in terms of a political project that deals with these changes. First-hand information was gathered and generated by means of a case study of a particular State Secondary school in Malta. Qualitative interviews were carried out with pupils of different national backgrounds, with teachers of various subjects and with the Head of school and an Assistant Head. Two expert interviews were also carried out and relevant statistics were consulted to put the case study in a wider national context. The findings indicate that mere contact with individuals having different national, ethnic and religious backgrounds does not automatically translate into meaningful contact. The lack of leader training and of stimuli to foster meaningful contact are having a negative impact on the multicultural schooling experience resulting in frustrations, doubts, dilemmas, conflict and peer victimisation despite the coping methods employed by leaders (teachers, Assistant Heads and Heads) in the school, and the positive perceptions about multiculturalism held by both pupils and leaders. A multicultural project which focuses on cultivating active citizenship based on equality despite diversity is not being implemented in the school. The situation is one of a mixture of assimilation and indifference towards multicultural differences, with the Maltese language and the Catholic religion still having a stronghold on the schooling experience despite the increase in multilingualism and religious pluralism.
Description: M.A.SOCIOLOGY
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/37230
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacArt - 2018
Dissertations - FacArtSoc - 2018

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