Aspects of the social life and education in Zebbug, Gozo, in the twentieth century

Abstract

This Study takes a look at the development of the village of Zebbug, Gozo, in the Twentieth Century. It looks at the life of the people from different aspects: education, the labour situation, transport and communication, emigration, the religous life, and the social life in its different perspectives (standard of living, socio-cultural life, political life and the organizations in the village). It examines the progress which has taken place in the village, but it also points out the various shortcomings which have slowed this progress. It also provides suggestions for improving the situation. Chapter 1 gives an overall view of the village prior to the twentieth century, and serves as a background to each Chapter and to this work as a whole. The Conclusion, highlights the developments in various aspects which have been treated in each Chapter. It also mentions some failings which can be improved. Many of the findings and conclusions in this work have been extracted from the Questionnaire carried out in all the households in the village in 1980. (See Appendix). there were four other sources of research carried out for this work: (a) Parish Archives; (b) School registers and documents; (c) Different publications, magazines, reports, reviews, newspapers and other material in the Gozo Public Library of Malta. (d) Interviews with different people, ranging from the Archpriest, the Headmaster of the Primary School, and Mgr. Andrea Vella, to workers - farmers, masons, teachers -, old people, and young men and women in the village.