The 1988 junior lyceum student entry : a follow-up study

Abstract

1670 (36.6%) of the Maltese students who sat for the Junior Lyceum examination joined the Junior Lyceum through a selective examination. Each student made an option in Form I and 3 others in Form 3, and after Form 5 opted for post-secondary education or work. The study attempts to trace the option path of all the 1670 students who entered the Junior Lyceum in 1988. Data was collected in each student's choice of language (Form 1), science or arts streams (Form 3) and post-secondary education or work option (post-Form 5). A qualitative descriptive analysis of data showed that there was quite a varied option path: there were high dropout rates over the five years for both sexes, of which 201 (30%) were males and 287 (29%) were females, of which the bulk of males went to trade schools and the bulk of females were exempted. 72 % of those who completed the course (61.5% of original group) continued post secondary education; 14 % of those who completed the course (12.4% of original group) found employment and 10 % of those who completed the course (8.5% of original group) opted to stay at home or register for work.