A quarter of students are "hesitant and resistant towards multiculturalism", a study on the well-being of foreign children in Malta has suggested. 

Some of the outcomes from the study were unveiled on Wednesday by Commissioner for Children Pauline Miceli, who said she asked for the study as the influx of foreigners on the island grew significantly in recent years. 

The researchers found that while the majority of Maltese students have positive, open and tolerant views towards foreign children and multicultural integration, one fourth were still found to be hesitant towards integration of such peers. 

The study also revealed that social interaction with foreign children is still limited overall, with most Maltese students still spending most if their time with "native peers". 

Researchers also found that the views of Maltese children depended on the nationality of the foreign children. The majority, the study showed, 'preferred' students who came from the West (Western Europe, North America and Australia). Children from Maghreb, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa are "the least liked".

Conducted over the past two years, the research was carried out among 2,500 students who were both foreign and Maltese. They took part in four studies. 

The full study will be published during a conference in April. Wednesday's presentation did not provide details about the study methodology, specific questions asked of respondents or the study's margin of error. 

Healthier, less bullying among foreign students

While children of migrants were still likely to experience hardships, the researchers concluded that over all, foreign children were more likely to enjoy a better quality of life, with many experiencing less bullying than Maltese students. The foreigners also adopted healthier lifestyles, and were more likely to care for the environment and to be more caring. 

Foreign children who did not come from the West, mainly asylum seekers, were found to be the most likely to be living in overcrowded homes. They also struggled with language barriers more and also encountered problems with accessing services and making friends.

Speaking at the unveiling, Family Minister Michael Falzon said that the study needed to be analysed by looking at the whole process. 

"We have the Children’s Policy, for instance, which will ensure that children are protected. The truth is that whatever we say, the more time passes, the more we will have a cosmopolitan society. Let’s not forget that where you have different cultures, you will have different influences. This is not just now, it has happened for years," the minister said.