The feasibility of implementing the national minimum curriculum

Abstract

This work attempts to identify the problems which Maltese teachers meet when they try to implement the National Minimum Curriculum. It identifies those factors which serve as assets or handicaps that arise in the implementation of the prescriptions of this document. After discussing the major issues related to the curriculum, this study focuses on the major factors which affect its implementation. We begin by looking at the attitudes of Maltese teachers to the curricular document itself Subsequently we attempt to establish whether teachers feel they can implement the curriculum successfully given: (a) the amount of time available, (b) the present educational system underpinned by central control and meritocracy, ( c) the current provision of educational resources comprising both its human and material aspects. This work compares the writings of established authors on the subject and relates them to the local situation. Both the State as well as the Private sectors are considered, focusing mainly on the last two years of the primary school.