Kindergarten assistants

I refer to the letter by the general secretary of the Malta Union of Teachers (July 6) wherein it is claimed that, during a press conference, Valerie Sollars stated that the majority of kindergarten assistants have no training at all.

I draw readers' attention to the following points:

Kindergarten assistants were not the topic of the press conference of June 12, referred to in the MUT's correspondence. The press conference related to postgraduate studies in early childhood education. These studies build on an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Whereas several European universities and higher institutions offer three-year degree programmes at undergraduate level for early childhood educators, to date, these degrees are not available locally.

As documented in the National Policy for Early Childhood Education (2006), data collected from staff working with zero to eight-year-old children in childcare, kindergarten (KG) and early years settings show that of the 382 KG assistants employed in the state sector, only 14 had followed the two-year certificate course in early childhood education offered by the Education Division between 1993 and 2003. In other words, the vast majority of KG assistants do not have the necessary training background to qualify them for postgraduate study.

The limited formal, initial training referred to during the press conference reflects current provisions. It is not a comment on the dedication, integrity or commitment of KG to furthering their study. Nor is it a statement that detracts from their dignity.

Detailed information about the type and duration of in-service training courses which KG assistants themselves had reported attending are available in the National Policy Document published by the Ministry of Education in 2006.