TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) IN MALTESE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: A STRATEGY FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of post-secondary educators in the Maltese islands regarding the potential of Total Quality Management (TQM) at this education level. It also sought to identify the factors that educators in Malta consider important for enhancing the quality of education in their sector. To achieve this, a thematic analysis of local and international policies, documents, and studies related to TQM, particularly in post-secondary education, was conducted. The findings from this analysis informed the development of a web-based quantitative survey, which was distributed to all 258 educators across five post-secondary schools in Malta and Gozo. A total of 163 valid responses were received, highlighting key factors that educators believe contribute to improving education quality, grouped under the themes of leadership and management, teaching and learning, and school ethos.