Characteristics of Teacher Trainee Students in Malta and Their Readiness for the Labour Market

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62695/CSGL7321

Keywords:

Teacher trainee students, Higher education, Social and economic conditions, Assessment of studies, Resilience

Abstract

In view of challenges related to global teacher shortages as well as teacher shortages and attrition in Malta, attracting individuals to the teaching profession and retaining them is crucial. In this regard, students’ personal life has been identified as the strongest predictor of resilience in Maltese teacher trainee students besides self-efficacy, social and emotional competence, and self-efficacy in behaviour management. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate the social and economic conditions of teacher trainee students in order to understand their specific needs and evaluate the extent to which these needs are being met through present education programmes in Malta. This research focuses on the profile of teacher trainee students (n=142) based on the overall EUROSTUDENT VII dataset for Malta (n=1,226). Considering the factors that influence teacher trainee students’ resilience, the research investigates teacher trainee students’ satisfaction with their workload related to studies and paid work and difficulties encountered related to studies, work and personal life. It will also explore teacher trainee students’ self-reported readiness for the labour market.

Author Biographies

Christine Fenech, Institute for Education

Christine Fenech is the Senior Manager Research and Development at the Institute for Education, which aims at supporting teachers, parents and students to address the challenges they face through evidence-based guidelines. Previously she worked as Manager for Research and Policy at the National Commission for Further and Higher Education. She holds a Magister Artium in History of Art, Political Science and Philosophy from the Free University of Berlin and a Master’s degree in Comparative Euro-Mediterranean Education Studies from the University of Malta. She is currently undertaking her PhD focusing on the academic achievement of migrant students in Malta.

Genise Formosa, Institute for Education

Genise Formosa has been teaching Year 9, 10 and 11 Biology for the past seven years. She graduated from the University of Malta with a B.Ed. in Science Education specialising in Biology. In her Bachelor’s degree research, she focused on the acceptance of the theory of evolution in education, amongst others. She has also earned a Master’s degree in Comparative Education from the University of Malta. Her main areas are student grouping policies, educators’ perceptions, and Biology education. She is also currently working as a Research Support Officer at the Institute for Education.

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Published

05-05-2024

How to Cite

Fenech, C., & Formosa, G. (2024). Characteristics of Teacher Trainee Students in Malta and Their Readiness for the Labour Market. Malta Journal of Education, 4(1), 25–44. https://doi.org/10.62695/CSGL7321

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