Complementary education : children's perceptions and self-esteem

Abstract

The present study investigated how children's self-esteem may be influenced as a result of their receiving Complementary Education. Semi-structured interviews were administered individually to thirty-five Year II students who attend Complementary Education Classes. These were randomly selected from five state primary schools that are situated in different parts of the South of Malta. The dissertation commences with a review of literature on the origins of Complementary Education and its development in Malta as well as a discussion on self-esteem issues. The following chapter gives a detailed account of how the research study was carried out. The last two chapters present a detailed presentation of the data collected together with a discussion emerging from the findings of the study. Major findings are also discussed, where it seems to be indicated that complementary education does not affect negatively the self-esteem of the children interviewed. Consequently, the last chapter offers pertinent recommendations on the subject under study.