MP calls for magisterial inquiry on foundation

Opposition education spokesman Carmelo Abela said yesterday that the education minister should request a magisterial inquiry into goings-on at the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools, failing which he would make the request himself.

Speaking in parliament on the adjournment, Mr Abela said that although the foundation had only been set up two years ago, there was already cause for serious concern about the way it was operating. The government, however, did not seem to be intent on investigating the serious allegations being made.

In the last legislature, following pressure by the opposition, the Minister of Education had set up a board of inquiry, but the government-appointed members had resigned shortly after, claiming to have been offended by remarks made by the then opposition spokesman on education. The opposition's members on the Public Accounts Committee had then requested an investigation by the Auditor-General. That report had not been produced yet.

He hoped this report would be produced shortly and that it would include recent events which could then be debated in parliament.

But, Mr Abela said, he would go further and insist on the holding of a magisterial inquiry on what was happening at the foundation.