European values and policy in sexuality and relationships education in the Maltese context

Abstract

Sexuality and Relationships Education (SRE) is a basic right for young people in a globalised and secularised world. EU countries do not hold a common SRE policy. Secularisation and value trade-offs in the transition from the community to the individual locus influence SRE in Member States. International and European documentation indicates that fundamental values are not always upheld in the way SRE is taught in Member States. This research aims to investigate the presence of European fundamental values, and the virtues, in SRE across the Maltese mandatory schooling years. Building on International and European SRE documentation, the research question is: What fundamental values are inherent in Maltese SRE policies and practice, and to what extent are values and virtues being appraised in the classroom? SRE is ingrained in the Personal, Social and Careers Education (PSCD) subject in Maltese schools where, in this study, the teacher is referred to as PSCD facilitator. The presence of the fundamental values is investigated through documentary analysis of Maltese education policies and PSCD syllabi. Interviews with seven highranking Education officials portray their insights of values and virtues in SRE policy. Survey responses indicate the perceptions of SRE practice of 110 PSCD facilitators. Methodological pluralism evidences the exploration of values and virtues in Maltese SRE and its reliance on interrelated and interdependent factors. Values, Attitudes and Skills are evidenced as the most significant concept. The interrelationship between consideration of Values, Attitudes and Skills, and Culture, Society and Human rights is confirmed. This study asserts that Maltese SRE policies and practice support and explore European shared values. Moreover, virtues are stressed upon in local SRE. Human Dignity and Human Rights are the two mostly respected values, whereas Rule of Law is the least respected. Evidence indicates that all virtues are similarly emphasised in local SRE except the character strengths of Bravery and Prudence.