Statistics on Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal … · 2018. 12. 5. · Chapter 2. Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education 21 Chart 2.1. Students

Statistics onPre-Primary, Primary

and SecondaryFormal Education

2012/2013 - 2016/2017

Published by the National Statistics Office

Lascaris Valletta Malta

Tel: (+356) 25 99 70 00 website: http://www.nso.gov.mt

CIP Data Statistics on Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education. – Valletta: National Statistics Office, 2018. 64p. ISBN: 978-99957-29-76-9 For further information and for acquisition of publications, please contact: Dissemination and Communications Unit National Statistics Office Lascaris Valletta Tel: (+356) 25 99 72 19 email: [email protected] For further information about the content of this publication, please contact: Tourism and Education Statistics Unit National Statistics Office Lascaris Valletta Tel: (+356) 25 99 76 39 email: [email protected] Printed at the Government Printing Press.

Contents Page

CIP Data 2

Contents 3

Preamble 7

Salient Indicators 7 Chapter 1. Demographics of Institutions and Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and

Secondary Education 9

Chart 1.1. Percentage distribution of school-levels by economic sector: academic year 2016/2017 11

Chart 1.2. Percentage distribution of school-levels by educational level: academic year 2016/2017 12

Chart 1.3. Number of school-levels by locality of school: academic year 2016/2017 12

Chart 1.4. Percentage distribution of students by economic sector: academic year 2016/2017 13

Chart 1.5. Percentage distribution of students by educational level: academic year 2016/2017 13

Chart 1.6. Number of students by class level: academic year 2016/2017 14

Chart 1.7. Number of students by locality: academic year 2016/2017 14

Tables on Demographics of Institutions and Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education 15

Table 1.1. Number of school-levels by educational level, economic sector and orientation: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 17

Table 1.2. Number of students by educational level, economic sector and orientation: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 18

Table 1.3. Number of students by district of students’ residence and class level: academic year 2016/2017 19

Table 1.4. Number of students by ISCED level and sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 20

Chapter 2. Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education 21

Chart 2.1. Students enrolled by age-group: academic year 2016/2017 23

Chart 2.2. Students enrolled by ISCED level and sex: academic year 2016/2017 23

Chart 2.3. Average class size of the primary level by economic sector of school and class level: academic year 2016/2017 24

Chart 2.4. Average class size at the secondary level by economic sector of school and class level: academic year 2016/2017 24

Chart 2.5. Percentage of non-Maltese students in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education: academic year 2016/2017 25

Chart 2.6. Secondary level students by optional foreign language: academic year 2016/2017 25

Page

Tables on Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education 27

Table 2.1. Studets enrolled by educational level, sex and age-group: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 29

Table 2.2. Students enrolled by ISCED level and sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 30

Table 2.3. Students enrolled by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 31

Table 2.4. Average class size by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 34

Table 2.5. Students enrolled by ISCED level and district of school: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 35

Table 2.6. Students enrolled by ISCED level and broad groups of nationality: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 36

Chapter 3. Absenteeism in Primary and Secondary Formal Education 39

Chart 3.1. Number of absent days by type: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 41

Chart 3.2. Percentage distribution of total number of absent days by class level: academic year 2016/2017 42

Chart 3.3. Total unauthorised absent days by class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 42

Chart 3.4a. Number of authorised absent days by sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 43

Chart 3.4b. Number of unauthorised absent days by sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 43

Chart 3.4c. Total absent days by sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 43

Chart 3.5. Number of absent days by type of absence and age-group of student: academic year 2016/2017 44

Chart 3.6. Average number of absent days per student by type: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 44

Chart 3.7. Average number of unauthorised absent days per student by class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 45

Chart 3.8. Average number of absent days per student by locality of student residence: academic year 2016/2017 45

Chart 3.9a. Average number of authorised absent days per student by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 46

Chart 3.9b. Average number of unauthorised absent days per student by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 46

Chart 3.9c. Average number of total absent days per student by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 46

Page

Tables on Absenteeism in Primary and Secondary Formal Education 47

Table 3.1. Number of absent days by type of absence and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 49

Table 3.2. Number of absent days by type of absence, sex and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 50

Table 3.3. Number of absent days by economic sector, type of absences and education level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 51

Table 3.4. Number of absent days by type of absence and age of student: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 53

Table 3.5. Average number of absent days per student by type of absence and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 54

Table 3.6. Average number of absent days per student by economic sector and type of absences: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 55

Table 3.7. Average number of absent days per student by type of absences and age of student: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 56

Chapter 4. Methodology 57

Preamble

Salient Indicators

2012

/201

3

2013

/201

4

2014

/201

5

2015

/201

6

2016

/201

7

Total number of schools in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education levels*

283 278 289 281 280 -0.4 -1.1

Total number of students enrolled in institutions providing pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education

55,331 54,856 55,199 55,628 55,674 0.1 0.6

Absenteeism in mandatory formal education

Institutions and students in formal education

Salient indicators: 2012/2013-2016/2017

Salient indicators

Academic year

% change 2016/7 over

2015/6

% change 2016/7 over

2012/3

The Statistics on Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education 2012/2013-2016/2017 publication aims togather information on the formal educational sector in Malta and Gozo with respect to: Types of educationalinstitutions, Students enrolled and Absences. The results presented are collected under EU regulations, and spanover five academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017. It is therefore important to note that all reported statistics pertain toinstitutions, levels and other defining attributes which are in line with the abovementioned regulations. For furtherinformation on eligibility criteria, kindly refer to the methodological notes.

Total days of absences by students in primary and secondary formal education

710,161 597,239 542,447 508,532 531,730 4.6 -25.1

Average days of absences per student by students in primary and secondary formal education

15.4 13.0 11.8 11.1 11.5 3.6 -25.3

* Institutions having more than one educational level within the same premises are counted according to the number of educational levels provided.

7

CHAPTER 1Demographics of Institutions

and Students Enrolled in Demographics of Institutions

and Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education

1.0. Demographics of Institutions and Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education

This chapter covers the characteristics of institutions in Malta and Gozo providing pre-primary, primary andsecondary formal education, along with the respective students enrolled in them. For the purpose of this publication,only institutions and students undertaking educational activities that fall in line with the governing EU regulations areincluded. Further definitions and explanations on the qualifying criteria of the regulation, as well as additionalexplanation on the classifications being used throughout this chapter can be found in the methodology section.

For this chapter, institutions providing more than one level within the same premises are counted more than once.For example, if an institution provides pre-primary and primary level of education within the same building, thisinstitution is then counted twice, once in each of the two school-levels. When comparing the total number of school-levels at pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education (including special schools), a slight decrease from atotal of 283 in the academic year 2012/2013 to 280 in academic year 2016/2017 was recorded.

A look at the most recent academic year (2016/2017) shows that, 56.8 per cent of all school-levels in pre-primary,primary and secondary education were State administered, while 27.5 per cent of school-levels were Churchadministered.

15.7%

Chart 1.1. Percentage distribution of school-levels* by economic sector: academic year 2016/2017

StateNumber of institutions:

56.8%27.5%

State

Church

Private

Number of institutions:

280

* including special schoolsNote: Institutions having more than one educational level within the same premises are counted according to the number of educational levels provided.

Nearly 40 per cent of schools at all levels of education during academic year 2016/2017 were at primary level,whereas secondary level education accounted for 22.1 per cent.

11

Chart 1.3. Number of school-levels* by locality of school: academic year 2016/2017

39.3

38.6

22.1

Chart 1.2. Percentage distribution of school-levels* by educational level: academic year 2016/2017

Pre-Primary

Primary

Secondary

Number of institutions:

280

* including special schoolsNote: Institutions having more than one educational level within the same premises are counted according to the number of educationallevels provided.

From a geographical perspective, the localities with the largest number of school-levels were: Tas-Sliema with 17school-levels, followed by Ħamrun (14 school-levels) and Pembroke with 13 school-levels. Fontana, Iklin, Mdina,Munxar, Swieqi and Ta’ Xbiex on the other hand were the localities not having any institutions providing this level ofeducation.

* including special schools

academic year 2016/2017

Note: Institutions having more than one educational level within the same premises are counted according to the number of educational levels provided.

12

Taking into consideration the number of students enrolled in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education(including special schools) during the latest academic year under review, 57.6 per cent of students (32,054students) were enrolled in a State school. This was followed by Church schools with 29.2 per cent, while studentsenrolled in Private schools accounted for the remaining 13.2 per cent.

57.629.2

13.2

Chart 1.4. Percentage distribution of students* by economic sector: academic year 2016/2017

State

Church

Private

Number of students:

55,674

*including special schools

By educational level, 46.3 per cent of the enrolled students in 2016/2017 attended school at the primary level ofeducation. Secondary level students made up 37.1 per cent, while pre-primary level students accounted for thesmallest share with 16.6 per cent.

Chart 1.5. Percentage distribution of students* by educational level: academic year 2016/2017

16.6

46.3

37.1

Chart 1.5. Percentage distribution of students* by educational level: academic year 2016/2017

Pre-Primary

Primary

Secondary

Number of students:

55,674


During the academic year 2016/2017, the pre-primary class level ‘Kinder 1’ registered the largest amount of studentsenrolled across all classes in all levels with 4,835 children. The smallest number of students registered during thesame academic year was at the ‘Year 6’ class level with 4,065 pupils. Fifth form students amounted to 4,143students during the same academic year under review.

13

4,83

5

4,38

9

4,55

5

4,27

0

4,41

5

4,37

7

4,11

4

4,06

5

4,08

8

4,06

8

4,26

9

4,08

6

4,14

3

3,600

3,800

4,000

4,200

4,400

4,600

4,800

5,000

Kind

er 1

Kind

er 2

Year

1

Year

2

Year

3

Year

4

Year

5

Year

6

Form

1

Form

2

Form

3

Form

4

Form

5

Pre-primary Primary Secondary

no. o

f stu

dent

s

class level

Chart 1.6. Number of students* by class level: academic year 2016/2017


The locality hosting the largest number of students was Birkirkara (3,306 enrolled students), followed by Pembrokeand Ħamrun, with 3,206 and 2,945 students respectively. The localities hosting the smallest number of enrolledstudents were: Żebbuġ (Gozo) and San Lawrenz with 61 and 34 students respectively.


Chart 1.7. Number of students* by locality: academic year 2016/2017

14

Tables on Demographics of Institutions and Students Enrolled in

Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Educationa d S ude s o ed

Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education

Pre-Primary Primary Secondary TotalEconomic Sector

State 60 70 32 162Church 30 26 22 78Private 19 13 11 43

OrientationGeneral 109 109 65 283Vocational - - - -

Total 109 109 65 283Economic Sector








OrientationGeneral 111 107 61 279Vocational - - 2 2



OrientationGeneral 110 108 60 278Vocational - - 2 2

Total 110 108 62 280


2012/2013

Table 1.1. Number of school-levels* by educational level, economic sector and orientation: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Note: Institutions having more than one educational level within the same premises are counted according to the number of educational levels provided.

2016/2017

2015/2016

2014/2015

2013/2014

17

Pre-Primary Primary Secondary TotalEconomic Sector

State 6,372 13,578 12,933 32,883Church 993 7,150 7,613 15,756Private 1,590 2,927 2,175 6,692

OrientationGeneral 8,955 23,655 22,721 55,331Vocational - - - -

Total 8,955 23,655 22,721 55,331Economic Sector




State 6,514 13,741 11,517 31,772Church 1,013 7,558 7,503 16,074Private 1,690 3,325 2,338 7,353




OrientationGeneral 9,451 25,177 20,721 55,349Vocational - - 279 279


State 6,638 14,506 10,910 32,054Church 1,032 7,813 7,419 16,264Private 1,554 3,477 2,325 7,356

OrientationGeneral 9,224 25,796 20,483 55,503Vocational - - 171 171

Total 9,224 25,796 20,654 55,674


2013/2014

2014/2015

2015/2016

2016/2017

Table 1.2. Number of students* by education level, economic sector and orientation: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

2012/2013

18

Southern Harbour

Northern Harbour

South Eastern Western Northern Gozo and

Comino Total

Pre-Primary

Kinder 1 835 1,264 846 637 904 349 4,835

Kinder 2 701 1,262 731 608 773 314 4,389

Primary

Year 1 779 1,298 771 614 798 295 4,555

Year 2 682 1,213 717 592 760 306 4,270

Year 3 763 1,281 724 602 776 269 4,415

Year 4 719 1,257 724 591 776 310 4,377

Year 5 718 1,197 655 573 696 275 4,114

Year 6 694 1,138 655 574 713 291 4,065

Secondary

Form 1 716 1,154 639 603 687 289 4,088

Form 2 718 1,096 715 578 701 260 4,068

Form 3 752 1,162 685 602 741 327 4,269

Form 4 724 1,084 678 587 724 289 4,086

Form 5 719 1,137 667 625 702 293 4,143

Total 9,520 15,543 9,207 7,786 9,751 3,867 55,674

*including special schools

Table 1.3. Number of students* by district of students' residence and class level: academic year 2016/2017

Class levelDistrict of students' residence

19

Males Females Total Males Females Total

ISCED 0 - Pre-Primary 4,628 4,327 8,955 4,518 4,299 8,817

ISCED 1 - Primary 12,126 11,529 23,655 12,303 11,769 24,072

ISCED 2 - Lower Secondary 6,663 6,425 13,088 6,496 6,171 12,667of which:

ISCED 24 - General Lower Secondary 6,663 6,425 13,088 6,496 6,171 12,667

ISCED 25 - Vocational Lower Secondary - - - - - -

ISCED 3 - Upper Secondary 5,010 4,623 9,633 4,646 4,654 9,300of which:

ISCED 34 - General Upper Secondary 5,010 4,623 9,633 4,646 4,654 9,300

ISCED 35 - Vocational Upper Secondary - - - - - -

Total 28,427 26,904 55,331 27,963 26,893 54,856

ISCED 0 - Pre-Primary 4,757 4,460 9,217 4,910 4,541 9,451

ISCED 1 - Primary 12,605 12,019 24,624 12,886 12,291 25,177

ISCED 2 - Lower Secondary 6,411 6,043 12,454 6,405 6,052 12,457of which:

ISCED 24 - General Lower Secondary 6,411 6,043 12,454 6,395 6,052 12,447

ISCED 25 - Vocational Lower Secondary - - - 10 - 10

ISCED 3 - Upper Secondary 4,447 4,457 8,904 4,315 4,228 8,543of which:

ISCED 34 - General Upper Secondary 4,447 4,457 8,904 4,144 4,130 8,274

ISCED 35 - Vocational Upper Secondary - - - 171 98 269

Total 28,220 26,979 55,199 28,516 27,112 55,628

ISCED 0 - Pre-Primary

ISCED 1 - Primary

ISCED 2 - Lower Secondaryof which:

ISCED 24 - General Lower Secondary

ISCED 25 - Vocational Lower Secondary

ISCED 3 - Upper Secondaryof which:

ISCED 34 - General Upper Secondary

ISCED 35 - Vocational Upper Secondary

Total

*including special schoolsNote:1. Orientation in ISCED level was determined according to the overall orientation of the school attended.

9,224

55,674

171

7,949

8,120

-

4,229

4,117

112

28,792

4,402

12,439

6,150

6,150

-

3,891

3,832

59

26,882

4,822

13,357

6,384

6,384

-

Table 1.4 Number of students* by ISCED level and sex: academic year 2012/2013-2016/2017

Males Females Total

2016/2017

2014/2015 2015/2016

ISCED Level2012/2013 2013/2014

12,534

12,534

25,796

20

CHAPTER 2Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary

and Secondary Formal EducationStudents Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary

and Secondary Formal Education

2.0. Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education

Student enrolments in all institutions providing pre-primary, primary and secondary formal learning (excludingspecial schools) will be analysed in further detail.

During the five academic years 2012/2013 to 2016/2017, the student population in pre-primary, primary andsecondary formal education (excluding special schools) remained stable at around 55,000 students. Over 45 percent of the students enrolled were aged between 5 and 10 years during the academic year 2016/2017. This wasfollowed by the 11-15 age-bracket, at 36.8 per cent.

16.5%

46.2%

36.8%

0.5%

Chart 2.1 Students* enrolled by age-group: academic year 2016/2017

2-4 years

5-10 years

11-15 years

16 years and overNumber of students:

55,471

* excluding special schools

In academic year 2016/2017, educational instruction at ISCED level 1 accounted for the largest share of studentsenrolled in primary and secondary formal education, having a total of 25,751 students. ISCED level 3 was theeducational level with the lowest number of students with 8,120 pupils.

4,822

13,330

6,278 4,229

4,402

12,421

6,098

3,891

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

ISCED 0 ISCED 1 ISCED 2 ISCED 3

no. o

f stu

dent

s

ISCED level

Chart 2.2 Students* enrolled by ISCED level and sex: academic year 2016/2017

Females

Males


23

When looking at the estimated average class sizes in primary education, Church schools tend to have the highestaverage class sizes. State schools on the other hand, consistently had the smallest average class sizes across thefive academic years. During the academic year 2016/2017, the highest average class size in State schools was thatof 17.2 students at ‘Year 2’ level, while the smallest average class size was that for ‘Year 5’ level with 16.3 studentsper class. In Private schools, the largest average class size was in ‘Year 1’ level with 21.6 students, while ‘Year 4’had the smallest class size average (18.7 students). The highest average class size for Church schools was at ‘Year5’ level with 25.7 students, while ‘Year 2’ level had the smallest average class size with 24.7 students.

16.8

17.2

16.8

16.9

16.3

16.6

25.1

24.7

25.2

25.6

25.7

24.1

21.6

20.6

20.8

18.7

19.6

19.9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

average class size

clas

s le

vel

Chart 2.3 Average class size at the primary level* by economic sector of school and class level: academic year 2016/2017

Private Church State


A look at secondary level classes shows that once again, Church schools had the highest average class sizes overthe same five year period while Private and State schools had similar average class sizes For 2016/2017 withinA look at secondary level classes shows that once again, Church schools had the highest average class sizes overthe same five year period, while Private and State schools had similar average class sizes. For 2016/2017, withinChurch and Private schools, ‘Form 1’ had the largest average class sizes with 24.0 and 19.3 students respectively.On the other hand, the largest average class size for State schools was recorded in ‘Form 2’ with 19.2 students. Forall three economic sectors, ‘Form 5’ classes had the smallest average class sizes with 16.3, 22.1 and 16.1 studentsfor State, Church and Private schools respectively.

17.9

19.2

19.0

18.6

16.3

24.0

23.9

22.5

22.4

22.1

19.3

18.3

18.9

17.6

16.1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Form 1

Form 2

Form 3

Form 4

Form 5

average class size

clas

s le

vel

Chart 2.4 Average class size at the secondary level* by economic sector of school and class level: academic year 2016/2017

Private Church State


24

Over the five academic years under review, the total share of non-Maltese students in pre-primary, primary andsecondary formal education was seen to more than double, from 4.5 per cent in academic year 2012/2013 up to 9.7per cent in 2016/2017.

4.5

5.0

7.5

9.09.7

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

% n

on-M

alte

se s

tude

nts

academic year

Chart 2.5 Percentage of non-Maltese students* in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education: academic years 2012/2013 - 2016/2017


During the most recent academic year under review, the most popular foreign language studied as an option (i.e.excluding the mandatory Maltese and English languages) at secondary level was Italian, which was chosen by overhalf of the student population was studying this language. This was followed by French, with an uptake of 27.4 percent and German with 11.4 per cent.

Notes:1. Students studying more than one optional language are counted more than once.2. Includes only students in secondary level of education (i.e. Form 1 - Form 5).

cent and German with 11.4 per cent.

11,550

6,212

2,5882,043

216 35 40

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Italian French German Spanish Arabic Chinese Russian

no. o

f stu

dent

s

optional language

Chart 2.6 Secondary level students by optional* foreign language: academic year 2016/2017

* excluding mandatory languages (i.e. Maltese and English)

25

Tables on Students Enrolled in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Educationin Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education

Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females

2-4 4,606 4,314 - - - - 4,606 4,314

5-10 22 13 12,021 11,457 - c 12,043 11,471

11-15 - - 83 58 11,237 10,763 11,320 10,821

16 and over - - - - 319 213 319 213

Total 4,628 4,327 12,104 11,515 11,556 10,977 28,288 26,819

2-4 4,479 4,264 5 c - - 4,484 4,267

5-10 39 35 12,173 11,661 5 4 12,217 11,700

11-15 - - 102 96 10,746 10,472 10,848 10,568

16 and over - - - - 291 287 291 287

Total 4,518 4,299 12,280 11,760 11,042 10,763 27,840 26,822

2-4 4,709 4,432 4 10 - - 4,713 4,442

5-10 48 28 12,479 11,920 5 5 12,532 11,953

11-15 - - 107 84 10,518 10,241 10,625 10,325

16 and over - - - - 243 203 243 203

Total 4,757 4,460 12,590 12,014 10,766 10,449 28,113 26,923

2-4 4,871 4,499 8 4 - - 4,879 4,503

5-10 39 42 12,729 12,180 - - 12,768 12,222

11-15 - - 125 91 10,421 10,072 10,546 10,163

16 and over - - - - 205 165 205 165

Total 4,910 4,541 12,862 12,275 10,626 10,237 28,398 27,053

2-4 4,788 4,381 5 c - - 4,793 4,384

5-10 34 21 13,202 12,341 c c 13,237 12,363

11-15 - - 123 77 10,354 9,862 10,477 9,939

16 and over - - - - 152 126 152 126

Total 4,822 4,402 13,330 12,421 10,507 9,989 28,659 26,812

* excluding special schoolsNote: c confidential figure - 3 or less reported counts.

Table 2.1. Students* enrolled by educational level, sex and age-group: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

2013/2014

2014/2015

2015/2016

2016/2017

Age groupsPre Primary Primary Secondary Total

2012/2013

29

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

ISCED 0 8,955 8,817 9,217 9,451 9,224

ISCED 1 23,619 24,040 24,604 25,137 25,751

ISCED 2 12,900 12,505 12,311 12,320 12,376

ISCED 3 9,633 9,300 8,904 8,543 8,120

Total 55,107 54,662 55,036 55,451 55,471

ISCED 0 4,628 4,518 4,757 4,910 4,822

ISCED 1 12,104 12,280 12,590 12,862 13,330

ISCED 2 6,546 6,396 6,319 6,311 6,278

ISCED 3 5,010 4,646 4,447 4,315 4,229

Total 28,288 27,840 28,113 28,398 28,659

ISCED 0 4,327 4,299 4,460 4,541 4,402

ISCED 1 11,515 11,760 12,014 12,275 12,421

ISCED 2 6,354 6,109 5,992 6,009 6,098

ISCED 3 4,623 4,654 4,457 4,228 3,891

Total 26,819 26,822 26,923 27,053 26,812


Table 2.2 Students* enrolled by ISCED level and sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

ISCED LevelTotal

Males

Females

30

ISCED Level Class Level State Church Private Total Average

age**

Kinder 1 3,578 302 834 4,714 2.8

Kinder 2 2,794 691 756 4,241 4.0

Total Pre-Primary level 6,372 993 1,590 8,955 -

Year 1 2,273 1,147 521 3,941 5.0

Year 2 2,171 1,244 489 3,904 6.0

Year 3 2,288 1,110 525 3,923 7.0

Year 4 2,219 1,184 492 3,895 8.0

Year 5 2,287 1,298 436 4,021 9.0

Year 6 2,304 1,167 464 3,935 10.0

Total Primary level 13,542 7,150 2,927 23,619 -

Form 1 2,183 1,506 430 4,119 11.0

Form 2 2,414 1,537 397 4,348 12.1

Form 3 2,499 1,517 417 4,433 13.1

Form 4 2,772 1,536 473 4,781 14.1

Form 5 2,877 1,517 458 4,852 15.1

Total Secondary level 12,745 7,613 2,175 22,533 -

Total 32,659 15,756 6,692 55,107 -

Kinder 1 3,686 259 770 4,715 2.8

Kinder 2 2,746 554 802 4,102 4.0


Year 1 2,417 1,252 627 4,296 5.0

Year 2 2,282 1,170 537 3,989 6.0

Year 3 2,184 1,253 500 3,937 7.0

Year 4 2,173 1,266 476 3,915 8.1

Year 5 2,194 1,189 485 3,868 9.0

Year 6 2,287 1,306 442 4,035 10.0


Form 1 2,053 1,430 512 3,995 11.1

Form 2 2,102 1,437 525 4,064 12.1

Form 3 2,437 1,477 532 4,446 13.1

Form 4 2,523 1,491 495 4,509 14.1

Form 5 2,722 1,518 551 4,791 15.1


Total 31,806 15,602 7,254 54,662 -

* excluding special schools** students' age is calculated as at 1st January of the academic year

ISC

ED 0

ISC

ED 1

ISC

ED 2

ISC

ED 3

2013/2014

Table 2.3 Students* enrolled by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 ...IS

CED

2IS

CED

3IS

CED

0IS

CED

1

2012/2013

31


age**

Kinder 1 3,827 335 864 5,026 2.9

Kinder 2 2,687 678 826 4,191 4.0

Total Pre-Primary level 6,514 1,013 1,690 9,217 -

Year 1 2,474 1,239 648 4,361 5.0

Year 2 2,441 1,274 602 4,317 6.0

Year 3 2,242 1,245 532 4,019 7.0

Year 4 2,206 1,259 549 4,014 8.0

Year 5 2,200 1,275 488 3,963 9.0

Year 6 2,158 1,266 506 3,930 10.0


Form 1 2,190 1,531 464 4,185 11.1

Form 2 2,080 1,490 462 4,032 12.1

Form 3 2,134 1,473 487 4,094 13.1

Form 4 2,436 1,540 478 4,454 14.1

Form 5 2,534 1,469 447 4,450 15.1


Total 31,609 16,074 7,353 55,036 -

Kinder 1 3,824 264 900 4,988 2.8

Kinder 2 2,903 729 831 4,463 4.0


Year 1 2,401 1,217 690 4,308 5.0

Year 2 2,478 1,247 611 4,336 6.0

Year 3 2,490 1,280 591 4,361 7.0

Year 4 2,283 1,249 549 4,081 8.0

Year 5 2,249 1,263 532 4,044 9.1

Year 6 2,224 1,277 506 4,007 10.1


Form 1 2,056 1,478 491 4,025 11.1

Form 2 2,216 1,524 473 4,213 12.1

Form 3 2,137 1,481 464 4,082 13.1

Form 4 2,162 1,484 465 4,111 14.1

Form 5 2,450 1,524 458 4,432 15.1


Total 31,873 16,017 7,561 55,451 -


2015/2016

... Table 2.3 Students* enrolled by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017IS

CED

0IS

CED

1IS

CED

2IS

CED

3IS

CED

0IS

CED

1

2014/2015

ISC

ED 2

ISC

ED 3

32


age**

Kinder 1 3,753 311 771 4,835 2.8

Kinder 2 2,885 721 783 4,389 4.0

Total Pre-Primary level 6,638 1,032 1,554 9,224 -

Year 1 2,611 1,280 648 4,539 5.0

Year 2 2,375 1,285 597 4,257 6.0

Year 3 2,473 1,308 623 4,404 7.0

Year 4 2,481 1,330 561 4,372 8.0

Year 5 2,275 1,309 530 4,114 9.0

Year 6 2,246 1,301 518 4,065 10.0


Form 1 2,074 1,489 501 4,064 11.1

Form 2 2,097 1,482 476 4,055 12.1

Form 3 2,276 1,508 473 4,257 13.1

Form 4 2,159 1,480 440 4,079 14.1

Form 5 2,146 1,460 435 4,041 15.1


Total 31,851 16,264 7,356 55,471 -


2016/2017

... Table 2.3 Students* enrolled by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017IS

CED

0IS

CED

1IS

CED

2IS

CED

3

33

State Church Private State Church Private State Church Private State Church Private State Church Private

Year 1 17.0 24.4 20.8 17.5 25.0 19.0 17.5 24.3 20.3 16.9 24.3 20.3 16.8 25.1 21.6

Year 2 17.0 24.9 19.6 17.2 24.9 20.7 17.1 25.5 20.8 17.7 24.9 20.4 17.2 24.7 20.6

Year 3 18.0 25.2 21.0 17.1 25.1 18.5 16.1 24.9 21.3 16.9 25.6 19.7 16.8 25.2 20.8

Year 4 17.6 25.2 19.7 16.8 25.3 19.0 16.5 25.2 19.6 16.8 25.0 18.9 16.9 25.6 18.7

Year 5 17.9 25.5 17.4 17.6 25.3 20.2 17.2 25.5 18.8 17.0 25.3 19.7 16.3 25.7 19.6

Year 6 17.9 24.8 20.2 17.7 25.1 17.0 17.1 24.3 20.2 16.7 24.6 19.5 16.6 24.1 19.9

Form 1 20.2 24.7 17.9 21.2 24.2 19.0 18.4 24.7 16.6 18.5 23.8 19.6 17.9 24.0 19.3

Form 2 20.6 25.2 19.9 21.0 24.4 17.5 18.4 24.4 17.1 19.6 24.6 18.9 19.2 23.9 18.3

Form 3 19.1 23.3 17.4 23.0 23.1 17.7 18.9 22.7 16.8 18.3 22.4 18.6 19.0 22.5 18.9

Form 4 19.1 23.6 18.2 20.3 22.6 18.3 18.9 23.3 17.7 18.8 22.5 17.9 18.6 22.4 17.6

Form 5 19.4 23.3 17.6 20.6 23.0 17.8 15.0 22.6 16.6 17.5 23.1 19.1 16.3 22.1 16.1

* excluding special schools and pre-primary schools

Tale 2.4 Average class size by economic sector and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Primary level

Secondary level

Class Level

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

34

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

Southern Harbour 1,736 1,705 1,753 1,741 1,668

Northern Harbour 2,872 2,429 2,594 2,832 2,686

South Eastern 1,239 1,352 1,353 1,376 1,331

Western 1,279 1,213 1,283 1,324 1,293

Northern 1,232 1,532 1,585 1,547 1,584

Gozo and Comino 597 586 649 631 662

Total Primary level 8,955 8,817 9,217 9,451 9,224



South Eastern 2,724 2,712 2,750 2,816 2,954

Western 2,902 2,878 2,842 2,886 3,218

Northern 2,483 3,241 3,379 3,567 3,667

Gozo and Comino 1,673 1,685 1,654 1,721 1,726

Total Primary level 23,619 24,040 24,604 25,137 25,751



South Eastern 831 707 853 1,055 1,203

Western 818 701 870 994 1,170

Northern 1,571 2,296 1,645 1,539 1,495

Gozo and Comino 987 1,245 893 860 873

Total ISCED 2 12,900 12,505 12,311 12,320 12,376

Southern Harbour 979 1,601 1,685 1,581 1,291


South Eastern 724 670 534 445 460

Western 744 686 553 469 623

Northern 912 1,053 1,008 1,127 950

Gozo and Comino 750 717 691 656 581

Total ISCED 3 9,633 9,300 8,904 8,543 8,120

Total Secondary level 22,533 21,805 21,215 20,863 20,496


ISC

ED 2

ISC

ED 3

Table 2.5 Students* enrolled by ISCED level and district of school: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Pre-Primary level

ISC

ED 1

Secondary level

ISC

ED 0

Primary level

District of School

35

ISCED 0 ISCED 1 ISCED 2 ISCED 3 Total

Total 9,224 25,751 12,376 8,120 55,471Europe 8,836 24,771 12,011 7,890 53,508

of which:Maltese 8,130 23,106 11,300 7,534 50,070Other EU 639 1446 603 291 2,979Non-EU 67 219 108 65 459

America 29 71 39 28 167Africa 216 502 154 73 945Asia 136 384 161 115 796Australia - 18 4 c 24Unknown 7 5 7 12 31

% foreigners of total students 11.9 10.3 8.7 7.2 9.7

Total 9,451 25,137 12,320 8,543 55,451Europe 9,060 24,121 11,966 8,347 53,494


America 23 68 45 20 156Africa 233 546 141 57 977Asia 120 345 152 108 725Australia 5 19 5 c 32Unknown 10 38 11 8 67


Total 9,217 24,604 12,311 8,904 55,036Europe 8,813 23,767 11,987 8,708 53,275


America 16 58 33 13 120Africa 217 469 112 50 848Asia 92 295 169 121 677Australia 5 9 c c 19Unknown 74 6 8 9 97



Table 2.6 Students* enrolled by ISCED level and broad groups of nationality: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 ...

Nationality region2016/2017

2015/2016

2014/2015

36

ISCED 0 ISCED 1 ISCED 2 ISCED 3 Total

Total 8,817 24,040 12,505 9,300 54,662

Europe 8,611 23,604 12,361 9,234 53,810of which:

Maltese 8,297 22,597 12,013 9,011 51,918

Other EU 271 782 229 153 1,435

Non-EU 43 225 119 70 457

America 11 39 21 4 75

Africa 151 260 63 28 502

Asia 41 126 53 28 248

Australia c 10 7 6 24

Unknown c c - - c


Total 8,955 23,619 12,900 9,633 55,107

Europe 8763 23163 12787 9558 54,271of which:

Maltese 8,492 22,400 12,436 9,316 52,644

Other EU 232 610 247 136 1,225

Non-EU 39 153 104 106 402

America 7 46 12 6 71

Africa 82 142 37 24 285

Asia 45 115 50 32 242

Australia c 13 5 c 22

Unknown 57 140 9 10 216



2012/2013

... Table 2.6 Students* enrolled by ISCED level and broad groups of nationality: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Nationality region2013/2014

37

CHAPTER 3Absenteeism in Primary and Secondary Formal EducationAbsenteeism in Primary and Secondary Formal Education

3.0. Absenteeism in Primary and Secondary Formal Education

Absenteeism relates to the number of days in which students were absent from school (whether authorised orunauthorised) during given academic year. This data covers only educational institutions at primary and secondarylevels, excluding special schools and pre-primary schools, in which attendance is not obligatory by law. The standardacademic period for all class levels was taken into consideration (September to May), except for fifth form students,where a shorter academic year was applied (September to March). Further information and definitions relating toabsenteeism can be found in the methodology section.

Total absences by students attending primary and secondary formal education amounted to 710,161 days duringacademic year 2012/2013 and 531,730 days during academic year 2016/2017. This shows a decrease of 25.1 percent over the five year period. With respect to authorised absences, a decrease of 24.2 per cent was observedbetween academic year 2012/2013 (434,899 days) and academic year 2016/2017 (329,629 days). For unauthorisedabsences, a similar decrease (26.6 per cent) was noted from academic year 2012/2013 (275,262 days) to academicyear 2016/2017 (202,101 days).

435328

352318

330

275

269

190 191

202

710

597

542 509532

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

num

ber o

f abs

ence

s (th

ousa

nds)

Chart 3.1 Number of absent days by type: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

275

190 191

202

0

100

200

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

num

academic yearAuthorised absences Unauthorised absences Total absences

Note: Includes primary and secondary education levels.

During academic year 2016/2017, absences from ‘Form 5’ students accounted for the largest share of totalabsences with 15.0 per cent. On the other hand, students in ‘Year 6’ had the lowest share of total absences duringthe same academic year, with 6.2 per cent.

41

8.2

7.2

6.8

6.4

6.3

6.2

8.910.0

11.3

13.7

15.0

Chart 3.2 Percentage distribution of total number of absent days by class level: academic year 2016/2017

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Form 1

Form 2

Form 3

Form 4

Form 5

Number of absent days531,730

Note: Excluding special schools.

With respect to unauthorised absences, ‘Form 5’ students also accounted for the largest share of total unauthorisedabsences during academic year 2016/2017 with a percentage share of 17.7 per cent. Conversely, ‘Year 3’ studentsaccounted for the least number of unauthorised absences with 5.9 per cent.

17.7

15 2

17.7Form 5

Chart 3.3 Total unauthorised absent days by class level: academic years 2012/2013, 2016/2017

5.7

5.7

5.2

5.5

5.8

5.8

7.7

10.5

12.8

17.6

17.7

6.8

6.2

5.9

6.0

6.0

6.5

7.9

9.6

12.3

15.2

17.7

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Form 1

Form 2

Form 3

Form 4

Form 5

% of total unauthorised absences

clas

s le

vel

2016/2017 2012/2013


42

Female students tended to have fewer absences, irrespective whether authorised or unauthorised, over the five yearperiod under review. Despite this, total absences among male students was seen to be on the decline, with theoverall percentage share decreasing from 54.6 per cent in 2012/2013 to 51.9 per cent in 2016/2017.

129,302 130,967

92,999 90,798 94,528 150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

auth

oris

ed a

bsen

ces

Chart 3.4b. Number of unauthorised absent days by sex:academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

241,407 174,529 183,368 165,732 168,151

193,492

153,443 169,056 152,025 161,477

050,000

100,000150,000200,000250,000300,000350,000400,000450,000500,000

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

no. o

f aut

horis

ed a

bsen

ces

academic year

Chart 3.4a. Number of authorised absent days by sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Females Males

145,960 138,300 97,025 99,977 107,573

92,999 90,798 94,528

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

no. o

f una

utho

ris

academic yearFemales Males

387,367 312,829 280,392 265,709 275,725

322,794

284,410 262,055 242,823 256,005

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

tota

l abs

ence

s

academic year

Chart 3.4c. Total absent days by sex: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Females Males


43

During academic year 2016/2017, authorised absences overall exceeded unauthorised absences for all student agegroups, except for students aged 16 and over.

28,898

112,947

184,698

3,086

13,034

61,296

123,990

3,782

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000 200,000

5 years and under

6-10 years

11-15 years

16+ years

number of absences

age-

grou

p

Chart 3.5 Number of absent days by type of absence and age-group of student: academic year 2016/2017

Unauthorised absences Authorised absences


When considering the average number of absent days per student, a decrease of 3.9 days was recorded betweentotal absences in academic years 2012/2013 (average of 15.4 days) and 2016/2017 (average of 11.5 days). Duringthe academic year 2016/2017, an average of 7.1 days per student of authorised absences was estimated, resultingin a decrease of 2.3 days when compared to the academic year 2012/2013. Similarly, a decrease of 1.6 days wasregistered with respect to unauthorised absences when comparing average number of days per student for academicyears 2012/2013 and 2016/2017.years 2012/2013 and 2016/2017.

9.4

6.0

15.4

7.2

5.9

13.0

7.7

4.1

11.8

6.9

4.1

11.1

7.1

4.4

11.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Authorised absences Unauthorised absences Total absences

aver

age

num

ber o

f abs

ence

s

type of absence

Chart 3.6 Average number of absent days per student* by type: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

* Averages are compiled on the basis of the entire student populationNote: Includes primary and secondary education levels.

44

Chart 3.8 Average number of absent days per student* by locality of student residence: academic year 2016/2017

During the most recent academic year under review, the students resident in Ħ'Attard had the lowest average days ofabsence per student, with an average of 7.5 days. On the other hand, the locality with the highest average number ofabsences per student was Cospicua, registering an average of 23.7 days.

When analysing changes in average number of days per student of unauthorised absences by class level, the largestdecrease was seen in the ‘Form 4’ students with a decrease of 2.6 days over the five year period. On the other hand,‘Year 6’ students showed the lowest decrease, with 0.8 days over the same period.

4.0 4.0 3.6 3.9 4.0 4.0

5.2

6.7

8.0

10.1 10.1

3.0 2.9 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.23.9

4.8

5.8

7.5

8.8

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4 Form 5

aver

age

num

ber o

f una

utho

rised

abs

ence

s

class level

Chart 3.7 Average number of unauthorised absent days per student* by class level: academic years 2012/2013, 2016/2017

2012/2013 2016/2017



45

State schools recorded the highest average number of total absences throughout the five year period under review.For academic year 2016/2017, the lowest average number of authorised absent days per student was recorded inPrivate schools with 4.8 days. On the other hand, the lowest average number of unauthorised absences per studentwas attributed to Church schools with 1.7 days.

11.8

8.7 9.3

8.6 8.5

6.2 5.4

5.9

5.0 5.7

6.5

5.1 5.4 4.6 4.8 4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

12.0

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

aver

age

num

ber o

f aut

horis

ed

abse

nces

per

stu

dent

academic year

Chart 3.9a Average number of authorised absent days per student* by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

State Church Private

9.4 9.3

6.1 6.2 6.4

2.2 2.4 2.2 2.7

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

e nu

mbe

r of u

naut

horis

ed

bsen

ces

per s

tude

nt

Chart 3.9b Average number of unauthorised absent days per student* by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

* Averages are compiled on the basis of the entire student population.Note: Includes primary and secondary education levels.

1.4 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.7

1.6 2.2 2.4 2.2

2.7

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

aver

age

num

bab

senc

e

academic year


21.2

17.9

15.4 14.8 14.9

7.6 6.8

7.5 6.5

7.4

8.1 7.2 7.7

6.9 7.6

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

22.0

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

aver

age

num

ber o

f ab

senc

es p

er s

tude

nt

academic year

Chart 3.9c Average number of total absent days per student* by economic sector: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017


46

Tables on Absenteeism inPrimary and Secondary Formal EducationPrimary and Secondary Formal Education

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

Year 1 36,552 28,451 35,450 33,607 29,832 -11.2Year 2 30,039 22,579 30,564 27,591 25,765 -6.6Year 3 29,103 19,409 25,693 26,247 23,982 -8.6Year 4 23,437 18,558 21,917 22,643 21,983 -2.9Year 5 24,210 17,325 21,903 19,825 21,519 8.5Year 6 25,197 18,081 20,393 20,583 20,077 -2.5Form 1 25,780 24,883 31,684 31,059 31,550 1.6Form 2 29,090 25,476 31,703 32,581 33,655 3.3Form 3 34,600 29,331 33,465 31,387 35,220 12.2Form 4 47,175 38,665 41,566 38,913 42,247 8.6Form 5 129,717 85,215 58,085 33,320 43,799 31.4

Total 434,899 327,972 352,423 317,757 329,629 3.7

Year 1 15,794 17,442 12,260 13,032 13,679 5.0

Year 2 15,555 15,674 12,988 13,086 12,482 -4.6

Year 3 14,216 13,552 10,200 13,123 11,955 -8.9Year 4 15,093 14,408 10,532 10,727 12,156 13.3Year 5 15,966 14,045 11,243 12,134 12,098 -0.3Year 6 15,890 15,179 10,313 11,567 13,072 13.0Form 1 21,244 20,619 13,171 13,917 15,972 14.8Form 2 29,010 26,052 17,452 17,319 19,460 12.4Form 3 35,350 34,767 21,204 21,955 24,864 13.2Form 4 48,351 44,860 30,727 27,458 30,620 11.5Form 5 48,793 52,670 39,933 36,459 35,745 -2.0

Total 275,262 269,267 190,024 190,775 202,101 5.9

Year 1 52,346 45,893 47,710 46,638 43,511 -6.7Year 2 45,593 38,253 43,552 40,677 38,247 -6.0Year 3 43,319 32,961 35,893 39,370 35,936 -8.7Year 4 38,530 32,966 32,449 33,370 34,139 2.3Year 5 40,176 31,371 33,147 31,959 33,617 5.2Year 6 41,087 33,260 30,706 32,150 33,149 3.1Form 1 47,024 45,501 44,856 44,976 47,522 5.7Form 2 58,100 51,528 49,155 49,900 53,115 6.4Form 3 69,950 64,098 54,669 53,342 60,083 12.6Form 4 95,525 83,525 72,292 66,371 72,866 9.8Form 5 178,510 137,884 98,018 69,779 79,544 14.0

Total 710,161 597,239 542,447 508,532 531,730 4.6


Total absences

Table 3.1 Number of absent days by type of absence and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Class level

Percentage change 2016-2017/2015-

2016Authorised absences

Unauthorised absences

49

Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females

Year 1 19,027 17,524 14,841 13,609 18,311 17,138 17,563 16,044 15,344 14,488 -12.6 -9.7

Year 2 15,855 14,184 11,699 10,880 16,170 14,394 14,210 13,381 13,326 12,440 -6.2 -7.0

Year 3 14,727 14,376 10,288 9,121 13,267 12,426 13,630 12,617 12,317 11,665 -9.6 -7.5

Year 4 11,524 11,913 9,641 8,917 11,716 10,201 12,266 10,377 11,259 10,724 -8.2 3.3

Year 5 11,901 12,310 9,115 8,211 11,176 10,727 10,515 9,310 11,742 9,777 11.7 5.0

Year 6 13,432 11,765 8,868 9,213 10,688 9,706 11,221 9,362 11,527 8,550 2.7 -8.7

Form 1 13,239 12,541 13,544 11,339 16,031 15,653 16,252 14,807 16,323 15,227 0.4 2.8

Form 2 14,624 14,466 13,579 11,897 17,231 14,472 16,848 15,733 17,213 16,442 2.2 4.5

Form 3 17,842 16,758 15,222 14,109 17,567 15,897 16,033 15,354 17,903 17,317 11.7 12.8

Form 4 25,638 21,537 20,699 17,966 20,730 20,835 20,704 18,209 21,138 21,109 2.1 15.9

Form 5 83,599 46,118 47,033 38,182 30,480 27,606 16,489 16,831 20,061 23,738 21.7 41.0

Total 241,407 193,492 174,529 153,443 183,368 169,056 165,732 152,025 168,151 161,477 1.5 6.2

Year 1 7,986 7,808 9,233 8,209 6,360 5,900 6,017 7,015 7,143 6,536 18.7 -6.8

Year 2 7,947 7,608 8,198 7,476 6,700 6,288 7,484 5,602 6,296 6,186 -15.9 10.4

Year 3 7,813 6,403 7,538 6,013 5,527 4,673 7,085 6,038 6,515 5,440 -8.0 -9.9

Year 4 8,217 6,877 7,885 6,523 5,917 4,616 5,897 4,830 6,501 5,655 10.2 17.1

Year 5 8,294 7,672 7,728 6,317 6,467 4,776 6,244 5,890 6,602 5,496 5.7 -6.7

Year 6 8,578 7,312 8,030 7,149 5,857 4,456 6,625 4,942 7,302 5,770 10.2 16.8

Form 1 11,863 9,381 10,894 9,725 7,109 6,062 8,087 5,830 8,718 7,254 7.8 24.4

Form 2 14,259 14,751 14,552 11,500 9,156 8,296 8,994 8,324 10,636 8,824 18.3 6.0

Form 3 17,130 18,220 16,096 18,671 11,108 10,096 11,230 10,725 13,082 11,782 16.5 9.8

Form 4 25,592 22,758 21,321 23,539 14,156 16,571 14,325 13,132 16,042 14,577 12.0 11.0

Form 5 28,280 20,513 26,825 25,845 18,666 21,267 17,989 18,470 18,737 17,008 4.2 -7.9

Total 145,960 129,302 138,300 130,967 97,025 92,999 99,977 90,798 107,573 94,528 7.6 4.1

Year 1 27,014 25,332 24,074 21,819 24,671 23,039 23,580 23,059 22,487 21,025 -4.6 -8.8

Year 2 23,802 21,792 19,897 18,356 22,871 20,681 21,694 18,983 19,621 18,626 -9.6 -1.9

Year 3 22,540 20,779 17,826 15,135 18,794 17,099 20,715 18,655 18,831 17,105 -9.1 -8.3

Year 4 19,740 18,790 17,526 15,440 17,633 14,816 18,163 15,207 17,760 16,379 -2.2 7.7

Year 5 20,195 19,982 16,843 14,528 17,643 15,503 16,759 15,200 18,345 15,272 9.5 0.5

Year 6 22,010 19,077 16,898 16,361 16,545 14,161 17,846 14,304 18,829 14,320 5.5 0.1

Form 1 25,102 21,922 24,438 21,064 23,141 21,715 24,339 20,638 25,041 22,482 2.9 8.9

Form 2 28,884 29,217 28,131 23,397 26,387 22,768 25,843 24,057 27,849 25,266 7.8 5.0

Form 3 34,973 34,978 31,318 32,780 28,676 25,993 27,263 26,079 30,985 29,099 13.7 11.6

Form 4 51,230 44,295 42,019 41,505 34,886 37,406 35,030 31,341 37,180 35,686 6.1 13.9

Form 5 111,878 66,631 73,858 64,027 49,146 48,873 34,479 35,301 38,798 40,746 12.5 15.4

Total 387,367 322,794 312,829 284,410 280,392 262,055 265,709 242,823 275,725 256,005 3.8 5.4


Authorised absences


Total absences

Percentage change 2016-2017/2015-2016

Table 3.2 Number of absent days by type of absence, sex and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Class level

2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

50

Authorised absences


Total absences

Primary 97,388 78,452 175,840

Lower Secondary (Form 1-3) 58,616 79,437 138,053

Upper Secondary (Form 4-5) 153,776 89,142 242,918

Total 309,780 247,031 556,811 Primary 50,391 8,797 59,188



Total 91,783 20,028 111,811 Primary 20,759 5,265 26,024



Total 33,337 8,203 41,540

Primary 71,971 72,800 144,771



Total 219,550 235,509 455,059 Primary 38,619 9,452 48,071



Total 79,691 21,366 101,058 Primary 13,813 8,048 21,861



Total 28,730 12,392 41,123

Primary 94,129 48,621 142,750



Total 233,403 152,129 385,532 Primary 45,780 11,072 56,852



Total 88,680 24,376 113,056 Primary 16,011 7,844 23,855



Total 30,340 13,519 43,859


Inde

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ent

Scho

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Table 3.3 Number of absent days by economic sector, type of absences and education level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017 ...

2014/2015

2013/2014

2012/2013

Education level

Stat

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Authorised absences Unauthorised absences Total absences

Primary 95,829 56,665 152,494



Total 215,776 155,875 371,651 Primary 37,448 8,999 46,447



Total 74,938 21,999 96,937 Primary 17,219 8,004 25,223



Total 27,043 12,901 39,944

Primary 85,570 57,124 142,694



Total 214,186 160,655 374,841 Primary 42,247 9,100 51,347



Total 87,523 25,506 113,030 Primary 15,341 9,217 24,559



Total 27,919 15,940 43,860


Chu

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Stat

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2016/2017

2015/2016

... Table 3.3 Number of absent days by economic sector, type of absences and education level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

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Age 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017Percentage change

2016-2017/2015-2016

5 years and under 35,545 27,325 34,177 32,477 28,898 -11.0 6 years 29,992 22,444 30,662 27,688 26,063 -5.9 7 years 29,181 19,331 25,832 26,177 23,849 -8.9 8 years 23,261 18,410 21,701 22,223 22,031 -0.9 9 years 24,316 17,289 21,939 20,050 20,937 4.4 10 years 24,815 18,289 20,444 20,165 20,067 -0.5 11 years 25,621 24,296 30,880 30,648 31,100 1.5 12 years 28,824 25,198 30,920 32,324 33,395 3.3 13 years 32,603 28,517 32,828 31,091 34,574 11.2 14 years 43,841 36,140 40,915 37,579 41,329 10.0 15 years 114,465 78,132 55,447 34,235 44,299 29.4 16 years 21,875 12,327 6,448 3,053 2,996 -1.9 Over 16 years 560 273 230 49 91 86.0Total 434,899 327,972 352,423 317,757 329,629 3.7

5 years and under 15,422 16,596 11,594 12,510 13,034 4.2 6 years 15,291 15,649 12,261 12,724 12,754 0.2 7 years 14,124 13,511 10,776 12,655 11,798 -6.8 8 years 14,961 14,155 10,448 10,985 11,862 8.0 9 years 15,942 14,083 11,061 12,051 12,065 0.1 10 years 15,837 15,459 10,420 11,472 12,817 11.7 11 years 20,148 19,649 12,989 13,576 15,858 16.8 12 years 28,607 24,857 17,492 17,218 18,938 10.0 13 years 32,845 34,146 19,334 21,323 24,462 14.7 14 years 43,724 41,033 29,715 26,404 29,675 12.4 15 years 48,411 49,860 37,434 34,714 35,057 1.0 16 years 9,825 10,033 6,390 5,093 3,652 -28.3 Over 16 years 125 237 109 50 130 158.3Total 275,262 269,267 190,024 190,775 202,101 5.9

5 years and under 50,967 43,922 45,771 44,987 41,932 -6.8 6 years 45,283 38,093 42,923 40,413 38,817 -3.9 7 years 43,305 32,842 36,608 38,831 35,647 -8.2 8 years 38,222 32,565 32,149 33,208 33,892 2.1 9 years 40,258 31,371 33,000 32,101 33,002 2.8 10 years 40,652 33,748 30,865 31,637 32,884 3.9 11 years 45,769 43,944 43,869 44,223 46,958 6.2 12 years 57,431 50,055 48,412 49,542 52,333 5.6 13 years 65,448 62,664 52,162 52,413 59,036 12.6 14 years 87,565 77,173 70,630 63,983 71,004 11.0 15 years 162,876 127,992 92,882 68,949 79,357 15.1 16 years 31,700 22,360 12,837 8,146 6,648 -18.4 Over 16 years 685 510 340 99 221 122.7Total 710,161 597,239 542,447 508,532 531,730 4.6


Table 3.4 Number of absent days by type of absence and age of student: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Authorised absences


Total absences

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2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

Year 1 9.3 6.6 8.1 7.8 6.6Year 2 7.7 5.7 7.1 6.4 6.1Year 3 7.4 4.9 6.4 6.0 5.4Year 4 6.0 4.7 5.5 5.5 5.0Year 5 6.0 4.5 5.5 4.9 5.2Year 6 6.4 4.5 5.2 5.1 4.9Form 1 6.3 6.2 7.6 7.7 7.8Form 2 6.7 6.3 7.9 7.7 8.3Form 3 7.8 6.6 8.2 7.7 8.3Form 4 9.9 8.6 9.3 9.5 10.4Form 5 26.7 17.8 13.1 7.5 10.8

Total 9.4 7.2 7.7 6.9 7.1


Total 6.0 5.9 4.1 4.1 4.4


Total 15.4 13.0 11.8 11.1 11.5

* Averages are compiled on the basis of the entire student populationNote: Excluding special schools.

Table 3.5 Average number of absent days per student* by type of absence and class level: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Class level Authorised absences


Total absences

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Economic sector 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

State 11.8 8.7 9.3 8.6 8.5

Church 6.2 5.4 5.9 5.0 5.7

Private 6.5 5.1 5.4 4.6 4.8

Total 9.4 7.2 7.7 6.9 7.1

State 9.4 9.3 6.1 6.2 6.4

Church 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.7

Private 1.6 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.7

Total 6.0 5.9 4.1 4.1 4.4

State 21.2 17.9 15.4 14.8 14.9

Church 7.6 6.8 7.5 6.5 7.4

Private 8.1 7.2 7.7 6.9 7.6

Total 15.4 13.0 11.8 11.1 11.5

* Averages are compiled on the basis of the entire student populationNote: Includes primary and secondary education.

Table 3.6 Average number of absent days per student* by school economic sector and type of absences: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Authorised absences


Total absences

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Age 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017

5 years and under 9.2 6.5 8.1 7.8 6.5 6 years 7.7 5.6 7.1 6.4 6.1 7 years 7.4 5.0 6.4 6.1 5.5 8 years 6.0 4.7 5.5 5.4 5.0 9 years 6.1 4.5 5.5 5.0 5.1 10 years 6.3 4.5 5.2 5.0 5.0 11 years 6.3 6.1 7.4 7.6 7.7 12 years 6.7 6.3 7.8 7.7 8.2 13 years 7.5 6.5 8.1 7.7 8.2 14 years 9.5 8.3 9.2 9.2 10.2 15 years 23.8 16.8 12.7 7.8 10.9 16 years 42.5 22.4 15.5 8.5 11.5 Over 16 years 33.0 10.1 5.8 4.9 5.0Total 9.4 7.2 7.7 6.9 7.1



* Averages are compiled on the basis of the entire student populationNote: Includes primary and secondary education.

Table 3.7 Average number of absent days per student* by type of absences and age of student: academic years 2012/2013-2016/2017

Authorised absences


Total absences

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CHAPTER 4MethodologyMethodology

4.0 Methodology

4.1 Regulation All education statistics presented in this publication are processed by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on an annual basis in accordance with the European Regulations (EC) 452/20081 and (EU) 912/20132. These regulations establish the basis of information to be collected from educational institutions at all levels of education and all economic sectors. By adhering to these regulations, all education statistics collected and processed by the NSO are made comparable to other European countries following the same regulatory standards. Furthermore, in order to address National needs, the NSO also collects information from educational institutions relating to student absenteeism in primary and secondary education. This data is being processed as part of the national obligation highlighted under the Ministry of Education and Employment (MEDE) Policy “Addressing Attendance in Schools”3 (2014). 4.2 Reference Period This publication provides information on the scholastic years 2012/2013 up to 2016/2017, unless otherwise specified. This covers all academic years under the effect of the current governing EU regulations. 4.3 Definitions The following definitions were applied when collecting data from questionnaires or registers during data analysis and for dissemination of information on education statistics: 4.3.1 General Classifications

Formal Education – Formal education is institutionalised, intentional and planned and provided by public organizations and recognised private bodies. It consists primarily of initial education designed for children and young people before their first entry to the labour market. It also includes other types of education such as vocational, special needs and adult education provided they are recognised as part of the formal education system by the relevant national education authorities. International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) Level4 – The ISCED is a framework for assembling, compiling, and analysing cross-nationally comparable statistics on education. It is the reference classification for organizing education programmes and related qualifications by levels and fields of education. For the purpose of this publication, the following education levels are based on the ISCED 2011 classification:

ISCED 0 - Early childhood and pre-primary education

ISCED 1 - Primary education

ISCED 2 - Lower secondary education (including Form 1 to Form 3 and post-secondary vocational certificates)

1 Access to the full (EC) 452/2008 regulation can be found on: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008R0452&from=EN 2 Access to the full (EU) 912/2013 regulation can be found on: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0912&from=EN 3 Access to the full policy can be found on: https://education.gov.mt/en/resources/News/Documents/Attendancy%20Policy%20Document.pdf 4 Further information on the ISCED level classification can be accessed from the following link: http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/international-standard-classification-of-education-isced-2011-en.pdf

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ISCED 3 - Upper secondary education (including Form 4, Form 5 and post-secondary general and vocational education)

ISCED 4 - Post-secondary non-tertiary education (e.g. Certificates with a general orientation)

ISCED 5 - Short cycle tertiary education (e.g. Higher National Diploma)

ISCED 6 - Bachelor's or equivalent level

ISCED 7 - Master's or equivalent level

ISCED 8 - Doctoral or equivalent level (e.g. PhD)

Mandatory Formal Education – Covers education from primary to upper secondary levels – from Year 1 up to Form 5 (i.e. ISCED levels 1-3) - where under Maltese Law, school is mandatory up to the age of 16. Further and Higher Formal Education – Covers formal education which is non-mandatory and is undertaken by the individual after ending mandatory education. Generally, such education is taken-up at a post-secondary level or higher (ISCED 3-8), however lower levels of ISCED in further formal education can also be found. Qualification – The final ISCED level attained by the student once the educational course has been successfully completed. UOE – The UOE data collection is administered jointly by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-UIS), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Statistical Office of the European Union (EUROSTAT). Countries participating in the UOE data collection co-operate to gather the information, to develop and apply common definitions and criteria for the quality control and verification of the data. UOE5 Inclusion – An educational activity is considered to be ‘UOE’ include if it conforms to the criteria adopted in this manual, which generally takes into consideration the duration of the course, the intensity and whether its majority is delivered in the country.

4.3.2 Demographics and Institutions Educational Institution – For the scope of this publication, an educational institution is an institution which provides formal educational courses. School level – Refers to the level of education provided in a particular institution (i.e. pre-primary, primary and/or secondary). Therefore, an educational institution can have more than one level. Localities and Districts – Classifications and codes used for localities and the respective districts are based on the Local Administrative Unit6 (LAU) 1 (for districts) and LAU 2 (for localities) classifications, which have the following breakdown:

Southern Harbour – Cospicua, Fgura, Floriana, Ħal Luqa, Ħaż-Żabbar, Kalkara, Marsa, Paola, Santa Luċija, Senglea, Ħal Tarxien, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Xgħajra. Northern Harbour – Birkirkara, Gżira, Ħal Qormi, Ħamrun, Msida, Pembroke, San Ġwann, Santa Venera, St Julian's, Swieqi, Ta’ Xbiex, Tal-Pietà, Tas-Sliema.

5 Countries are committed to report according to the definitions, classifications, and coverage specified in the UOE manual, which can be accessed on the following link: https://circabc.europa.eu/webdav/CircaBC/ESTAT/ETS/Library/Public/3.%20UOE/2014/UOE2014manual.pdf 6 Further information on the LAU classification can be accessed from the following link: https://nso.gov.mt/metadata/classificationdetails.aspx?id=Districts%20(Local%20Administrative%20Unit)

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South Eastern – Birżebbuġa, Gudja, Ħal Għaxaq, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Safi, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mqabba, Qrendi, Żejtun, Żurrieq. Western – Ħad-Dingli, Ħal Balzan, Ħal Lija, Ħ'Attard, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Iklin, Mdina, Mtarfa, Rabat, Siġġiewi. Northern – Ħal Għargħur, Mellieħa, Mġarr, Mosta, Naxxar, St Paul's Bay. Gozo and Comino – Fontana, Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Munxar, Nadur, Qala, San Lawrenz, Ta' Kerċem, Ta' Sannat, Victoria, Xagħra, Xewkija, Żebbuġ.

Orientation (General/Vocational) – This refers to the orientation of the majority of educational courses provided by the institution. A “general” orientation refers to educational courses which tend to be academically focused and designed to develop learners’ general knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as literacy and numeracy skills. These programmes are typically school or college based. On the other hand “vocational” oriented courses tend to be designed for learners to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies specific to a particular occupation, trade or class of occupations or trades. Such programmes may have a work-based component. Economic Sector (State/Church/Private) – It refers to the method of administration and financing of the educational institution. If an institution is administered and funded primarily by the central Government, then it is considered as a “State” institution. On the other hand, if the educational institution is being administered and funded in its part by a central Religious office, then it is considered as a “Church” institution (also referred to as Government-dependent institution). Lastly, if an institution is administered and funded independently from any Central organisation or Government, then it is considered to be a “Private” institution (also referred to as Independent institution).

4.3.3 Enrolments Students – Refers to students who are enrolled in a particular educational institution during the scholastic year under review. In the case of a foreign student being enrolled within an institution which provides its services locally, then that student is included in the enrolments. On the other hand, if a Maltese national is enrolled within an institution which provides its services outside the country, then that student is to be excluded from these statistics. Age – The age of the students is calculated as the age as at 1st January of the academic year under review. Class – Refers to a group of students who are physically following a common course of study in the same space. Locality of Residence – Refers to the locality where the student is recorded to reside, according to the LAU classification. Locality of Campus – Refers to the locality where the physical campus is registered, according to the LAU classification.

4.3.4 Absenteeism

Year – Refers to the academic year of schooling which the student is currently attending in the particular study programme. Types of Absences – Following MEDE’s policy to address absences in schools, the following types of absences were defined and adhered to when collating absenteeism data:

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Authorised Absence i. School refusal/school phobia; and/or ii. Authorised non-attendance by school.

Unauthorised Absence

i. Unauthorised non-attendance with parental knowledge; ii. Truancy; and/or iii. School transience.

4.4 Questionnaire Design All information required for State administered educational institutions is obtained from register data provided directly from the responsible Ministry. Prior to requesting such information, a thorough discussion regarding the contents of the information is done so as to identify any possibilities of missing information or potential double counting. For non-State administered educational institutions, the data is collected through the means of an annual electronic questionnaire.

In order to facilitate the compilation of this questionnaire, notes and examples are also included in the questionnaire. Furthermore, assistance from the Office is also provided to any requesting institution. During the design and updating of the questionnaire, various key entities were consulted in order to enhance the collection of information and address any changes resulting from regulation-based requirements. 4.5 Data Coverage and Collection The information collected by the NSO refers to all students attending formal educational institutions, satisfying UOE criteria, irrespective of economic sector. Every year, the data is collected during April and covers all students enrolled in the institution as at 31st March of the particular academic year.

4.6 Data Processing and Quality Assurance Data obtained from register sources is checked for any preliminary inconsistencies when compared to previous years. In addition, continuous communication with the data providers is maintained in order to address any difficulties or need for clarification. In order to ensure full participation and full coverage of requested data in such a way to minimise burden on the responding institutions, collaboration between key stakeholders is ensured during the design of the questionnaire. Consultations on the level of data and additional notes and descriptions are held with MEDE and Church Education Secretariat. During data collection, assistance by NSO personnel is provided whenever necessary to the educational institutions. Upon receipt of questionnaire data, preliminary checking of the information inputted in the questionnaire is carried out so as to ensure all data is provided. Furthermore, additional queries arising from the submitted information are reverted back to the institutions as soon as possible. Data processing and analysis is conducted on both register data and data collected from questionnaires. Statistical imputation is used in certain instances to address any missing or misrepresented information whenever necessary and possible. In addition, data consistency and coherence checks are then made to serve as a double check and to ensure a consistent time series data with previous years and other comparable sources. 4.7 Weighting When analysing absenteeism data, a weighting system is applied so as to produce absences estimates covering the entire academic year whenever it is not possible to obtain data for the whole academic year. A weighting proportion is assigned according to the current data available and mapped to represent the full academic year.

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4.8 Key Codes The following codes are applied throughout this publication to ensure data confidentiality and quality in its interpretation and use:

c Confidential – Information not published due to small counts of 3 or less reporting individuals per item.

4.9 Confidentiality As with all the data collected and processed by the NSO, all Education related statistics is governed by the provisions of the Malta Statistics Authority Act (XXIV of 2000). This Act emphasises both the NSO’s right to collect and process private and personal information for statistical purposes, while binding the NSO from providing any identifiable information to third parties. More information on this survey can be accessed on: https://nso.gov.mt/metadata/reports.aspx?id=41

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