The university's Faculty of Education this week published the first edition of its online Journal of Maltese Education Research, aimed at bringing out of the shadows valuable studies that could play a part in the development of the education system.
A lot of local research tends to be deposited in "remote corners and out-of-sight areas of the graduates' home or the supervisors' office," writes the journal's editor, Dr Carmel Borg, who is the head of the faculty's Department of Primary Education.
"With exceptions, this research is exercising very little influence on the education system. The Journal of Maltese Education Research (JMER) attempts to recover some of the good-quality research produced in recent years and to provide established and emerging scholars and practitioners with a space for critical and empirical analysis of issues central to Maltese education policy, curriculum reform and pedagogy."
The journal is fully refereed. The associate editors are all members of the faculty and authorities in their fields, while an international editorial board are experts in areas ranging from early childhood to comparative education.
To assure excellence, papers are being reviewed by at least two independent referees, a local one chosen for his or her familiarity with Malta's educational scene and an international reviewer to ensure that the reviewing process is not vitiated by the intimacy factor.
JMER's scope goes well beyond schooling, and will cover a broad spectrum of areas including pre-school and adult education, vocational training, popular education, distance learning, and education administration and management.
The first issue should have a broad enough appeal. Among others, it includes papers about the role that exposure to language plays in exams; politics, religion and education in 19th century Malta; the origins and motives behind the setting up of the Junior College; and the challenge of developing an inclusive European society through inclusive schools.
In the few days it has been online, the journal has already received a few hundred hits.
www.educ.um.edu.mt/jmer/