The Malta University Press had the pleasure to launch its latest publication titled So we can do our best: Care in children's relationships with teachers by Professor Mary Darmanin. The event was held at the Aula Prima, Valletta Campus on Friday 25 October 2024.

This insightful publication brings children’s voices to the fore through Professor Darmanin’s extensive research on student-teacher relationships, their need for learning, fairness, consistency, care, and reciprocity, amongst other matters. Through this, the author highlights some systemic issues and challenges teachers face on a daily basis, with both teachers and students referred to as “heroes”.

Keynote speakers included her Excellency President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society), Professor Maureen Cole (former Chair of the National Institute for Childhood), as well as a dynamic panel discussion between Professor Carmel Borg, Professor Valerie Sollars and the author.

Read more about this publication:

'This is a very well-written and interesting book that draws on rich data on teacher-student relationships. It provides new insights into the importance of care and respect in these relationships and the intertwining of a positive relationship with the teacher and learning on the part of students. It would be of interest to academics working in the areas of education and childhood studies. It would be a very useful resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students and in teacher professional development.'
- Professor Emer Smyth, ESRI, Ireland

'This mega opus is an invaluable contribution to educational literature on multiple fronts, ranging from school and classroom climate to teacher-student-teacher relationships. The most important message that this book is communicating to the education community is that reflection on instruction calls for a thorough review of the socio-emotional climate obtained within the school in general and the classroom in particular. In a context where hierarchy and verticality are dominant ways of relating with others, students’ voice, rarely heard on such matters, is what makes this book valuable.'
 - Professor Carmel Borg, University of Malta

The publication will shortly be available for purchase from the MUP online store.