Gaetano Mifsud looks at Personal and Social Development in primary schools
The foundations of education were once solely regarded to be numeracy and literacy. But educators are now also stressing the importance of operacy. On their own numeracy and literacy do not guarantee good citizenship and character formation.
"The skills of action are every bit as important as the skills of knowing. We neglect them completely and turn out students who have little to contribute to society" - De Bono's Thinking Course, 1985, British Broadcasting Corporation, London. Pages 112.
This aspect of education is addressed by Personal and Social Development (PSD). Now in its fifth year, primary PSD has become indispensable in Maltese schools. Students claim it is their only opportunity to express themselves freely without the shackles of academic pressure. In fact in PSD the student is viewed, not as the product of his knowledge, but holistically as a human being with all his/her strengths and weaknesses, stressing that we are all special and equal, and boosting mutual respect.
PSD aims at empowering students in all positive ways possible, helping students regain the self-esteem that has at times been crushed by academic failure or nasty, destructive comments. It also enhances the students' powers of communication, helping them build confidence that they have a right to their emotions, delving into and exploring issues of friendship, bullying, gender, relationships, leadership, time-management and conflict resolution.
Personal and Social Development is based on experiential learning and the students do not just listen and discuss but actively participate and go through the learning experience as a group. This strengthens group-ties and friendship.
Lessons take a very practical form. For instance, when discussing issues such as trust, safety and abuse or the avoidance of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, students engage in role-plays of set-situations. In this manner they can learn to react in a safe environment rather than facing these situations first hand in real life. Other activities feature learning games and stories that are discussed and processed.
PSD also favours healthy living, focusing on stress-management, coping skills, keeping safe, hygiene, well-being and a general positive outlook. Students reflect upon what is important to them, respect towards their peers, families, possessions and the environment. Due to the way PSD lessons are structured students learn a lot from their classmates other than their teacher and are invited to build on each others' ideas.
Furthermore, during PSD lessons the students are on level ground, all are accepted, regardless of differences in their abilities, and democracy fostered. In fact from the young age of five students are helped to believe in themselves and their self-worth, made aware of how important they are, and that all are very special, valid individuals.
Having specially trained teachers teaching the subject in the primary schools guarantees professionalism and a confidential atmosphere where students can voice their feelings, fears and worries without the risk of being labelled.
Mr Mifsud is the PRO of the PSD Teachers Association.
psdassociation@teacher.com