Choice in the science subjects : trends in Malta

Abstract

Within the Maltese educational system, students have subject choice at age 12-13, prior to the beginning of their third year of secondary schooling. Pupils sit for an external 16+ Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination at the end of secondary school; those who satisfy the requirements can proceed to a two-year post-secondary Matriculation course. At sixth form, students choose two subjects at advanced level, three subjects at intermediate level and have the compulsory ‘systems of knowledge’; the six subjects constitute the matriculation certificate (MC), an external 18+ exam, which is a passport to university. Considering the data for the past 14 years, 2004 to 2017, the study presents the trends and fluctuations in subject choice with respect to the three science subjects at both SEC and MC (intermediate and advanced) levels. Subject registration at the two levels are compared and contrasted. These trends are also compared with those of a number of compulsory SEC subjects (English language and mathematics) and other groups of subjects (foreign languages, commercial subjects, other optional subjects). Data is analysed per gender, and possible fluctuations and displacements from one ‘area’ to another are highlighted.