Changing feminine attitudes towards the teaching of physical sciences in Maltese society

Abstract

The principal objective of this study is to provide an analysis of pupils' and teachers' current attitudes towards the teaching of physical sciences in Maltese Secondary Schools. This study is divided into four main parts. The first part (Chapters 1 and 2) gives a theoretical background of the origins of feminine attitudes, girls' attitudes towards adolescence, and the exploration of the hidden curriculum from a female point of view. The second part, (Chapter 3), delves into statistical data which intends to show changes} if any, that have occurred in the past few years. In the third part, (Chapters 4 and 5), a detailed analysis of present pupil and teacher attitudes towards the teaching of physical sciences, based on information acquired from questionnaires and from interviews held with pupils is critically evaluated through a comparative study of local and foreign literature on the subject. The fourth part (Chapter 6) of this study puts forward recommendations for fostering positive attitudes towards the physical science in feminine students.