Learning about the Maltese environment through educational walks

Abstract

A glance the "learning" immediately brings to mind "formal" education -- ie Schooling. 'The Maltese educational system is rather rigidly based on an exam-oriented curriculum and is thus characterised by overemphasis on theory. Thus, in spite of increasing evidence for the importance of pupil involvement, tangibility of knowledge, and exploratory learning, few students can claim to he so fortunate as to have truly undergone learning activities which possess these desirable characteristics. A case in point is unfortunately the Maltese History sector where, rather than "living through the experience", most students tend to "learn" the subject (or, even worse, a mere sequence of events) by rote. Equally gross is the relatively poor adaptation of curricula, aimed mainly at "foreign" examinations, to local interests and needs. Thus, geography students in Malta tend to "know" all about the Himalayas and all about the Nile, but next to nothing about of Maltese Geography. Similarly, several biology teachers make (or, as is more likely, memorise) everything is to he the large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) without bothering to mention its common occurrence in Malta. Students in several schools tend to study its minutest details the history of England and France without even having the barest outline of Maltese history. Of course, it is important not to give students a dosed-mind, insular mentality by ignoring the wealth of knowledge present beyond Maltese shores -- but it is foolish to induce them to ignore their own country's characteristics. These two main features of the present educational system in Malta have led to the upbringing of whole generations of Maltese citizens who have literally "swallowed" enormous quantities of knowledge and yet know very little in depth about their country -- its geography, its wildlife, its history, its culture. short, most Maltese people are ill-acquainted with what can termed "the Maltese environment".