The general feeling that we got from students is a plain and simple no – that school in Malta is not preparing students enough for life, and that it could be doing more.

“Not really, no. It prepares you for a lot of stress and working under pressure, but not exactly for life,” one student said. 

“Oh, most definitely not, because it’s not only just theory, theory, theory – we should be integrating life skills, especially in early education,” another said.

However, a small percentage of students said that it depends and that in some ways, education does prepare students for certain aspects of life.

“I think so yes, it makes you independent, you have the option to study or not to study, and you need to choose your own path,” another said.

Many mentioned the fact that explanations on how to do taxes or get loans are not included within the local curriculum, leaving students feeling like they greatly lack financial literacy. 

“Not exactly. We’re taught academic stuff but obviously, when it comes to practice like taking a loan and learning certain life skills, we aren’t that prepared for it.”

“Yesterday I was just discussing with my mum how when it comes to taxes and things like that, I’m not prepared at all,” another said.

Some students also called for more practical lessons that could help in real life, such as home economics, rather than focusing a lot on theory.

“I think we need way more lessons about stuff like taxes and home economics should be compulsory in my opinion. You don’t learn much about how to just be an adult.”

Others argued that only life itself can teach you certain important lessons and that school can never in any way replicate these experiences.

Watch the full vox pop here:

This is just the first video from a series of vox pops with University students for this year’s freshers’ month! Stay tuned for more 

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