Following a few days of data collection and responses from various people we can display our findings regarding student activism.
The majority of students are aged between 18-21 (62%) followed by 22-25 (25%). The results show that females slightly unbalance men by 5% and that out of the 62% of people aged between 18-21 two thirds were female. Almost all of the responses were made by full time students with the majority studying at UoM and Junior College. A large number of students think of themselves as active students with a score of 58%. Other students come off as neutral (28%) and other as non participants, with the latter being the least answered at 14%. The results also show that there are more male students that identify as active students than female students out balancing females by 4% difference. With regards to neutral students, females are in the lead by 21% difference. Inactive students are almost balanced.
Most of the students give 0-3 hours of work per week to their respective organisation/activity with 54% of the population; and are followed by 9+ hours of work per week with 21% of the population. Executive members give most input while subcom members and ex-executives are in the 0-3 hours of work per week range. Some stray few are in the middle range of 3-6 and 6-9 hours. Some notable comments were that there was lack of motivation to work therefore time spent working is drastically reduced – for one specific faculty based organisation. Other students are, or were members of multiple organisations and dedicate 9+ hours of work per week to their respective organisation.
Students prefer to follow current affairs and events through social media and word of mouth and chose to be active by knowing what is happening on campus. A large number of these students also choose to attend events and be active members of an organisation.
24% of participants do not want to join organisations while 51% would like to or are already part of one. The main reasons for not being part of an organisation or for not being active are as follows in order of popularity; Studying, passivity, assignments, lectures and work.
Some outstanding comments:
“Crazy lecture times which stop us from participating in our own extra-curriculars. Also money plays a huge role. Students nowadays want to be paid OR would join the organization if their stipend is increased, if it’s not then most won’t even bother considering student organizations. ”
“Organisations’ activities must be engaging. unfortunately the quality of people joining organisations and their output has fallen in recent years.”
“Maltese People are not nice to foreigners”
“The climate of current student activism…” “It’s not honest, it’s not genuine…” “not working with genuine people would annoy me…”
“Association with political parties including sdm and pulse”
“Gozitans who are currently residing in Gozo which results in not being able to attend events in Malta due to distance”
Feel free to discuss in the comments section!