MLP 'partisan' on education

The Labour Party was yesterday accused by the Education Ministry of partisanship on education, both because it uses false figures and also by omitting to report positive news on education.

In a statement, the ministry said the MLP never reacted to seven documents, which Government published on various sections of education. Labour leader Alfred Sant referred to the reform in the education sector as "poison".

The ministry referred to Labour education spokesman Carmelo Abela accusing the government of being "arrogant and shameful". This was after Education Minister Louis Galea asked the Opposition to publish the document on which it based an allegation about the national curriculum made over the past two years.

The statement explained that the MLP was using a figure mentioned by the Malta Union of Teachers two years ago during a meeting with Dr Sant. The MUT had said that 80 per cent of the curriculum had not been followed. The union had later said that the figure was not based on any studies.

However, the ministry said, the MLP continued using the figure over the past two years.

"It is unjust that Mr Abela now says he was referring to what the MUT said when the Opposition had used the figure in the most partisan way for two whole years," it said.