Establishing a Żabbar primary school as a community learning centre

Abstract

This study investigates the limitations, challenges and viability of establishing a Community Learning Centre by restructuring and utilising some of the existing infrastructure in the locality of Zabbar i.e. a primary school. Our work addresses various issues regarding the institution's development from a traditional primary school into a multipurpose learning site. By doing so, the potential of the school premises will be maximised as the school will have multifunctional use and avoids having 'dead capital'. This dissertation addresses language, education, social composition, community services and resources. Furthermore, it focuses on assessing the implications, for the community, of a primary school's upgrade. The dissertation focuses on data derived from qualitative and quantitative research. The three hundred questionnaires conducted provide original information on the community's preferences about the establishment of an educational institution in its midst. Meanwhile, the interviews involved active participation of distinct community members. The findings helped us elaborate on the critical activities from which the Zabbar community seems to or can benefit. Furthermore, the research addressed the necessity for other essential services to be provided in the Zabbar community, highlighted the social issues involved and the need for a Community Learning Centre. There were recurring proposals on the need for the development of institutions in the community since, generally speaking, the highest levels of formal education encountered were either primary or secondary education. As a result, the dissertation underlines the necessity of establishing a Community Learning Centre in the Zabbar community.