Learning support zones : the unheard voices of students exhibiting social, emotional and behavioural difficulties

• Main Author: Borg, Andrew
• Published: University of East London 2013
• Subjects: 150
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.586575

This research sets out to examine the Learning Support Zone (LSZ) initiative, introduced in Maltese state secondary schools to promote the inclusion of secondary students exhibiting social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). A mixed-methods research design was employed with the purpose of exploring the level of application and implementation of LSZ provisions across colleges in Malta, as well as eliciting the students’ views about their experience of the service and the influence this initiative has had on their life at school. The participants included in this study consisted of 18 LSZ co-ordinators and nine secondary students exhibiting SEBD. The findings stemming from this research indicate that a significant number of state secondary schools in Malta have subscribed to the LSZ initiative, and have thus assimilated this provision in their respective schools. The students enrolled in LSZs highlighted the pivotal role such provisions occupy in their education. They also emphasized the effective contribution LSZs are providing to students exhibiting SEBD, in terms of the support that is offered in coping with the difficulties they experience, in mainstream educational settings.