ABSTRACT of Thesis by
Alison Saliba

Physical Education has become an examinable subject in Malta quite recently, just two years ago. As all the students who opted for examined PE chose SEC PE as the examination board, the study focused on students’ attitudes towards SEC PE. However, the study also aimed at investigating the students’ attitudes towards the NC Physical Education lesson. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire addressed to National Curriculum (NC) students n= 390, and to SEC PE students n= 453 in local secondary schools. The study showed that mainly students have a positive attitude towards NC PE and SEC PE. Findings revealed that the majority of students like Physical Education, mainly because they have fun during the lesson. Most of the students selected SEC PE because they like sports. Nevertheless, the main reason given for not opting for SEC PE was related to vocational outcome. Even though the take up of SEC PE is on the increase, one would hope that all secondary schools in Malta will start offering examined PE in the near future.

B.Ed. (Hons.)
May 2003

Supervisor: Dr. Gemma van Vuuren-Cassar
Dip. In App. Soc. Stud., B.Ed. (Hons.), M.Ed. (Manch.), Ph.D. (Manch.)

Keywords: Physical Education; Pe-Exams; Pe- Assessments; Sec PE