Photo: James Moffet
The Early Childhood and Primary Education (ECPE) Research Group comprises five female academics from the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education within the Faculty of Education, University of Malta: Dr Charmaine Bonello, Dr Rosienne Camilleri, Dr Josephine Deguara, Dr Josephine Milton and Dr Tania Muscat.
Photo: Dr Muscat with the printed publications
On 10 November, the ECPE Research Group launched the cluster of five reports focusing on the pandemic and its impact on education. The COVID-19 and Education in Malta (Cov-EM) study carried out by the ECPE Research Group explored how the pandemic impacted five key stakeholders’ personal and professional lives.
The five studies took place through surveys in September 2020 and repeated in September 2021, with University students in Initial Teacher Education, educators in early years and primary schools, as well as educational leaders in schools or centres. The launch was chaired by Dr Michelle Attard Tonna, Deputy Dean, who welcomed the audience and introduced the various speakers. The Dean, Prof Colin Calleja, addressed the guests gathered and the authors shared some of the main findings. This was followed-up by a reflection on the findings by Prof Carmel Borg.
Director General Mr Emile Vassallo addressed the audience present and then a video address prepared by the Hon Minister Clifton Grima for the launch was viewed. The launch included an innovative dimension, with some of the research findings interpreted using lights, shadows, and projections in an art installation by Etienne Farrell. Guests were invited to continue the dialogue informally while experiencing the art installation and enjoying some refreshments which were kindly provided by the Faculty of Education.
Photo: Keith Dramanin