The case of church schools in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation is the result of research carried out through a period of two years. Its primary aim is to narrate and analyse the events which have effected the church schools in these last decades, special emphasis being given to the events which happened in the seventies and eighties. To give a clearer picture on what constitutes a church school and how these have developed over the years, a number of chapters have been devoted to introduce the church schools. Chapter 1 gives a historical background of these schools, while Chapters 2 and 3 deal with various trends and characteristics the church schools have experienced over the years. Chapter 4 deals briefly with two associations which have been very active on issues involving the church schools. Chapter 5 is devoted to the relations between the church schools and the state in the 1960's, while Chapter 6 deals extensively with the Church - State relations in the seventies and the eighties. Chapter 7 deals with the events happening after 1987 and Chapter 8 concludes this dissertation by analysing various points dealing with private education. After examining this work one can conclude that the church schools, in these past decades~ have had to face very difficult times, although today the situation is very much improved.