Subject choice and performance in chemistry and the science subjects in Malta : patterns according to gender and school type

Abstract

In 2005, a new scheme differentiating between standard and special grants for University of Malta students was launched to increase enrollment in science, engineering and information technology (IT) courses. The Government considered: the country’s socio-economic development; the Lisbon agenda; and OECD standards. The courses identified were: B.Sc.(Business & Computing); B.Sc.(Hons) (IT, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics & Operations Research, Computer Science, Informatics); B.Eng.(Hons); and B.Ed.(Hons)/PGCE (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science). At age 12/13, students make subject choices that eventually provide them with the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) qualifications for Sixth Form and, later, University. The least popular Science is Chemistry.