Kindergarten assistants

Reference is made to the article headed University Leading Joint Degree In Early Childhood Education (June 13).

The article quotes Dr Valerie Sollars as stating that the majority of kindergarten assistants have no training at all.

The MUT is greatly aggrieved by this assertion and strongly feels that it grossly disparages kindergarten assistants in post.

The MUT points out that all kindergarten assistants had received initial training and all of them partake in in-service training. The MUT is concerned that the article in question has unjustly raised doubts about the competence of kindergarten assistants and the quality of service they are providing within our educational system.

The MUT is duty bound to clarify that kindergarten assistants have always registered their willingness to further their studies, evidenced by the fact that they have accepted to be involved in ongoing professional development since its inception. The MUT wants to redress the harm that may unwittingly have been inflicted upon this category of educators whose contribution to local education ought not to be underestimated. It must be stated that the vast majority of kindergarten assistants have a wealth of experience in their field and carry out their role with the utmost professionalism and dignity. Within this context, the MUT fails to understand the purpose behind the comments reportedly made by Dr Sollars, who now occupies the prestigious post of Dean of the Faculty of Education.

The MUT hereby extends its support to all those kindergarten assistants who felt aggrieved by the article in question and pledges to continue to work in their best interest and that of the whole spectrum of educators in Malta.