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Statistics on Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education 2012/2013 – 2016/2017

Over the five years between academic years 2012/2013 and 2016/2017, student population in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education remained stable at around 55,000 students.

When considering the average number of unauthorised days of absence per student, a decrease of 1.6 days was noted when comparing academic years 2012/2013 and 2016/2017.

Main Objectives

The Statistics on Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Formal Education publication aims to gather information on the formal educational sector in Malta and Gozo over the five academic years 2012/2013 to 2016/2017. The statistics included focus on: Types of educational institutions, Student enrolments and Absences.

... ​​During the five academic years between 2012/2013 and 2016/2017, the student population in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education (excluding special schools) was approximately 55,000 students each year.

​... During the academic year 2016/2017, 57.6 per cent of students in pre-primary, primary and secondary formal education (including special schools) were enrolled in a State school. This was followed by Church schools with 29.2 per cent, while students enrolled in Private schools accounted for the remaining 13.2 per cent.

... For academic year 2016/2017, the locality hosting the largest number of students was Birkirkara (3,306 enrolled students), followed by Pembroke and Ħamrun (with 3,206 and 2,945 registered students respectively).

... Over the five academic years under review, Church schools tended to have the highest average class sizes at both the primary and the secondary level. State schools, on the other hand, consistently had the smallest average class sizes.

... Total absences (irrespective if authorised or unauthorised) by students attending primary and secondary formal education amounted to 710,161 days during academic year 2012/2013 and 531,730 days during academic year 2016/2017. This resulted in an overall decrease of 25.1 per cent.

... Over the same five year period, unauthorised absences registered a decrease of 26.6 per cent, from 275,262 days during academic year 2012/2013 to 202,101 days for academic year 2016/2017.

... Overall, female students tended to have fewer absences, irrespective whether authorised or unauthorised. Despite this, total absences among male students were seen to be on the decline, with the overall percentage share decreasing from 54.6 per cent in 2012/2013 to 51.9 per cent in 2016/2017.

... When considering the average number of absent days per student, a decrease of 3.9 days was recorded between total absences in academic years 2012/2013 (average of 15.4 days) and 11.5 days during academic year 2016/2017.

... For academic year 2016/2017, the lowest average number of authorised absent days per student was recorded for Private schools with 4.8 days. On the other hand, the lowest average number of unauthorised absences per student was recorded in Church schools with an average of 1.7 days.

... During academic year 2016/2017, students residing in Attard had an average of 7.5 days of absence, which was the lowest average per capita. On the other hand, the locality with the highest average number of absences per student was Cospicua, registering an average of 23.7 days.

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Click here​​​​ to access the infographic.​