Children's perception of expectations for the future

Abstract

"The task of preparing citizens/or the future can best be addressed by structuring the school itself in such a way that it becomes a living laboratory of democratic citizenship". This was stated recently by Josephine Vassallo, Education Officer for Democracy and Values Education in an interview on democracy in schools carried in The Times of June 18, 2004. The challenge that schools are facing is to help children learn such things as working cooperatively, respecting the opinions of others, taking responsibility for roles and duties, thinking critically, resolving conflict, keeping themselves well informed and participating at all levels. A survey I conducted recently was precisely aimed at studying children's perceptions for the future within the context of the relationship between education and the social world. Decisions are not taken in isolation. As Crouteau & Hoynes contend social structure inextricably links the private lives of college students for instance to the public world of economics Gobs), politics (public universities, government loans) and culture (the value of learning). Individualized decisions make sense only in the larger public context of society. Emile Durkheim rightly argues that the school - model of the social system - is a society in miniature. Individuals learn to cooperate with those who are neither their kin nor their friends. Consequently the school serves a function that cannot be provided by the family or peer group. The objectives of this study are intended to contribute to the best possible fonnation of persons as world citizens. The study was conducted in 4 Year 6 classes in 2 state schools in two different localities. Students - including 35 boys and 29 girls aged 10 - 11 years - were asked to fill in a questionnaire in Maltese focusing on the following aspects: • Area of interest for future studies • Work including social and economic aspect • Freetime • Peace/Happiness • Traditions/culture • Local, national and global awareness • Values with an accent on human values • Relationship with Jesus. [...]