The Institute contributed two related research initiatives within the TIP project during 2020/2021. Maltese primary school footprints were mapped to determine the proportions of different landscapes at each school, and a national survey was carried out among primary school teachers to establish the state of outdoor teaching and nature-based learning in Maltese primary schools.
The research reveals that school footprints in Malta are dominated by outdoor hardscapes, with concrete and other hard paving covering an average 49% of school grounds and built areas making up an average 29%. Soft landscaping was found to cover an average of only 22% of the footprint. These figures are broad averages and several schools have little or no soft landscaping at all. It was found that even where soft landscaped areas are present within school grounds, they are often peripheral and mostly inaccessible to students. The teacher survey revealed a consensus among primary school educators that outdoor learning is beneficial both to children’s learning and development, and to their health and wellbeing.
However, very little use is currently made of natural areas in schools, with most outdoor teaching carried out on rubber matting or artificial turf, or else on concrete ground. A policy brief on connecting children with nature through the greening of school grounds was developed as one of the final outcomes of the TIP project. The main focus of this brief is the need to integrate the design of school grounds within a vision that sees outdoor spaces as a complementary part of the delivery of the curriculum.
In view of worldwide urbanisation and loss of nature, and of the benefits of holistic development to children’s health and wellbeing, it is hoped that the recommendations resulting from this project will help to boost nature-based learning in Maltese schools. The full policy brief is available online [PDF]. The policy recommendations outlined in this brief are in the process of being discussed with relevant stakeholders, including policy makers within the Education Directorate.