Investigating the ‘My personal journey’ Programme for Foundation Certificate Students at MCAST from the Students’Own Perspective

Through the lens of social constructivism, this study investigated the opinions and perceptions of Foundation Certificate students at MCAST on the ‘My personal journey’ programme. The programme aims to deliver a degree of pastoral care for its Foundation Certificate students, eliciting them to reflect on their life history, individuality, and on their future. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the programme’s efficacy from the students’ point of view. Data was collected via questionnaires from students enrolled inthe programme (n = 217), as well as interviews with students who decided to drop out ofthe ‘My personal journey’ programme but still continued to follow their respective course.(n = 8). Results were analysed via thematic analysis and primarily shed light on the criticalimportance of lecturers’ aptitude and predisposition to ‘care’ about their students, ratherthan just being their educators. Timetabling issues have been found to severely hinderretention, while responses also suggest the introduction of new, pertinent topics in theprogramme. Above all, this study highlights the importance of caring human connections,safe spaces together with supportive learning environments and personalised approachesto pastoral care in fostering student engagement, well-being, and retention.