The attainment and behaviour of foreign adopted pupils in state primary schools

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the attainment and the behaviour of foreign adopted pupils in State Primary Schools. In light of the findings, there will be an attempt to make a number of recommendations on the education of foreign adopted pupils in Malta. The perceptions of the pupils, class teachers and parents on the pupils' present behaviour and attainment at school was investigated. Data was collected through questionnaires with teachers and parents, and interviews with the children. The dissertation defines the scope of intercountry adoption and reviews the literature on some of the outcomes of such placements as well as the different adjustments such children have to make in their life at school. A presentation of all the results collected is followed with a discussion on all the outcomes of this research. This study concludes with a nun1ber of recommendations on the education of foreign adopted pupils in Malta.