Connecting the dots: Effective leadership to enhance parental engagement in a multicultural primary school in Malta

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62695/TWZO7132

Keywords:

Education, school, leadership, parents, multiculturalism

Abstract

This study, conducted in a multicultural primary school in Malta, aimed to connect the dots between educators, students and parents who comprise a school community. The goal of this study was to recognize that parents should be an integral part of school leadership and to investigate how they can be involved in their children’s education. The research used a mixed methodology, mainly focus groups with Maltese and non-Maltese parents, and aimed to understand how to assist educational leaders in enhancing parental engagement within a multicultural school whilst creating positive intercultural interactions. Interviews with educational experts in Malta were then used to validate the findings. The results showed that leaders play a critical role in promoting parental engagement by creating relationships with them based on effective communication, cultural awareness and cultural intelligence. In turn, this promotes the development of a positive multicultural community at school. Finally, this study suggests the need of designing policies to promote an intercultural education framework which will go beyond simply coexisting and onto developing equal educational opportunities for all students in a culturally-receptive school environment.

Author Biographies

Janice Darmanin, Institute for education, Malta

Janice Darmanin is Australian-born and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Malta. She has taught in the Primary Sector, mainly PSD, progressing to nine years as an Assistant Head of School. She is finalising her Master Degree in Applied Educational Leadership with the Institute for Education.

Viviana Premazzi, University of Malta

Viviana Premazzi, PhD, is the founder of Global Mindset Development, Course Coordinator in Cultural Intelligence at the University of Malta and lecturer in Developing Intercultural Communication Capabilities at the Institute for Education (IfE). She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology of Migration, an M.A. in Intercultural and Interreligious Conflicts Malta Journal of Education, 2021, Volume 2, No 2 Education Research 2021 137 Management and is Accredited Lecturer in Intercultural Management by Hofstede Insights.

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Published

19-11-2021

How to Cite

Darmanin, J., & Premazzi, V. (2021). Connecting the dots: Effective leadership to enhance parental engagement in a multicultural primary school in Malta. Malta Journal of Education, 2(2), 122–141. https://doi.org/10.62695/TWZO7132