Internationalisation of Maltese Society and Education

Abstract

Malta has witnessed a stark increase in immigration in recent years. The European Commission’s Country Report for Malta 2019 (European Commission 2019) suggests that labour and skills shortages may be a pull factor for international labour to Malta. However, push and pull factors for migration have become more complex in the 20th century, including aspects such as safety from wars, and political or economic crises (Arar et al. 2019, 2020a, 2020b; IOM 2020). Moreover, the profile of migrants has changed from targeted recruitment of guest workers in the post-war period to substantial diversity of countries of origin, languages, religions or migration channels (Massey 1990; Vertovec 2007, 2018). This diversification can also be witnessed in Maltese society and education and is posing challenges for schools to provide inclusive education suited to the learning needs of a diversifying student population (Bezzina and Vassallo 2019). However, while some qualitative research, through isolated snapshots of the numbers of international students in compulsory education, exists, detailed data and analysis of its development over time are lacking. This research, therefore, investigates data collected in recent years in Maltese society and within compulsory education. By studying the change in figures of international residents and students in compulsory education (public, church and private schools), the article provides evidence of the rate at which diversification has been witnessed. It focuses upon diversification by sector and evaluates geographical differences witnessed within this diversification. Moreover, it investigates differences in the profile of international students enrolled in different educational institutions to demonstrate the extent to which ‘super-diversity’ is encountered within Maltese schools.