The effects of the educational support given to Maltese children by voluntary educational support programmes

Abstract

Various organisations, in Malta and abroad, offer educational support and also emotional and social support to children who are not sustained enough at home. Some of these organisations offer free support by volunteers; hence, these programmes are ideal for families who cannot pay for their children's support. The researchers of this study referred to these organisations as Educational Support Programmes (ESPs). The aim of this study is to discover the ways in which children who attend voluntary Educational Support Programmes are affected. This study was conducted through a qualitative method. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with twelve children from three voluntary ESPs in the southern part of Malta, in order to discover their perceptions about the ways they are being affected through the voluntary ESPs. The main enquiries revolved around how activities and resources, volunteers, children and changes in the ESPs affect children. The results show that these support programmes mostly affect the participants in a positive way, but in certain circumstances there can also be some negative effects. Mainly, the interviewees stated that the volunteers' support is helping to improve their school performance, enhancing their general knowledge, and strengthening their well-being. Distractions from children and volunteers, and activities which do not meet children's interests lead some of the children to perceive the ESP negatively. The conclusion presents suggestions for improving support for children, thereby increasing ESP effectiveness.