Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1345126
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 FEBRUARY 2021 NEWS Total number of international students in state schools 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2,640 2,360 2,595 2,283 2,308 1,895 2,048 1,542 1,627 1,160 614 495 514 384 469 388 327 322 EU Non-EU Most represented nationalities (State schools) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 St Clare Maria Regina St Theresa San Gorg Preca Gozo St Thomas More St Ignatius St Benedict St Nicolas St Margaret 24.2% 28.5% 20.1% 15.8% 8.8% 12.1% 7.1% 11.2% 5.9% 10.2% 5.3% 7.8% 1.5% 7.4% 3.6% 5.6% 3.2% 3.1% 1.1% 2019 2015 Italy UK Libya Bulgaria Serbia Germany Russia 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 920 77 813 265 571 344 43 336 40 65 2017-8 scholastic year 2008-9 scholastic year Percentage of international students in each educational college Top nationality in each college these students may have witnessed conflict and trauma and even missed several years of schooling before their arrival in Malta. "Teachers, therefore, need adequate training to address both the educational and emotional needs of these students," they said. State schools in in the northern har- bour (St Theresa College) and south- ern harbour (St George Preca Col- lege), western (St Ignatius College) and south-eastern area (St Benedict College) have higher shares of non-EU students than EU students. "This sug- gests that different colleges need spe- cific support to cater to the needs of these students and their families," the authors said. Statistics show the share of interna- tional learners increasing in all colleges within a span of five years. This is par- ticularly the case in St Clare College, where numbers grew from 24.2% in 2015 to 35.7% in 2019; and in Maria Re- gina College where numbers increased from 20.1% in 2015 to 28.5% in 2019. In St Theresa College the percentage of non-Maltese students also increased from 8.8% in 2015 to 15.8% in 2019. These colleges are based in the north- ern and northern harbour area which have attracted the highest share of mi- grant residents in Malta. Church schools see lowest increase Data shows the number of interna- tional learners in Church schools is far lower than in State schools, with their numbers increasing from 27 in 2008 to 119 in 2017. In contrast in the same time-frame, the number of non-Maltese students increased six-fold in State schools. Private independent schools already had a large number of international learners in 2008 (604). Numbers in- creased to 1,318 by 2017. This shows that it was State schools that recorded the largest increase of non-Maltese students, while the pri- vate sector has always had a steady in- flux of international learners. "The data shows that the increase of international students is limited in church schools, has been consistently high in private schools, while it had a substantial im- pact on state schools," the study authors said, who advised strongly for an inclu- sive environment. "Support is particu- larly important for state schools, which have witnessed a particularly high and fast-paced impact, compared to church and private schools," they said. Targeted support was recommend- ed for colleges with particularly high shares of international students (St Clare College and Maria Regina Col- lege) and colleges with recent stark increases in international students (St Theresa College, St George Preca Col- lege and St Thomas Moore College) Moreover, colleges with high shares of non-EU students, particularly from Syria and Libya (St Theresa College, St George Preca College, St Clare College, St Margaret College, St Benedict Col- lege and St Ignatius College) should be supported to address not only the ed- ucational, but also the socio-emotional needs of their students. "Support is also needed to address the public perception of migrant resi- dents and integration of international students in schools, since the rapid and substantial increase in immigration has led to negative sentiments," they said. The authors said studies showed neg- ative attitudes, particularly among old- er students towards international stu- dents from Africa and the Middle East; likewise, migrants reported a lack of trust in authorities and felt subject to discrimination. A study commissioned by the Chil- dren's Commissioner in 2019 showed that over 80% of international students feel that they are highly engaged and included at school. However, 10% to 20%, especially those with difficulties in English or Maltese, do not always feel included. The study showed that around one-third of international stu- dents had witnessed arguments and fighting within their classrooms and schools, mostly involving students from Africa and the Middle East. Racial bullying was also witnessed, especially due to students' ethnic origin, religion or inability to speak the national lan- guages fluently. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Students may have witnessed conflict and trauma and even missed several years of schooling before their arrival in Malta. "Teachers, therefore, need adequate training to address both the educational and emotional needs of these students."