Drama education in state schools

Following correspondence in The Sunday Times concerning drama in education, the MUT would like to make its views clear on the matter.

The MUT contends that drama in education ought to be the remit of the Drama Unit within the Directorate of Educational Services. The concern expressed by Joseph Borg (February 17) is shared by the MUT. The particular case referred to by Mr Borg opens an unwarranted precedent whereby 'educators' are admitted within the education system through the back door when both regular and supply categories of educators are rightfully put to scrutiny before being admitted to work within the system.

The MUT, both as a professional association and a trade union, cannot but express grave concern about this state of affairs as it opens the door for similar 'back-door' entries into the education system. This creates a serious anomaly whereby the scrutiny carried out upon entry on educators and even during their term of employment with the directorate is simply bypassed through such private initiatives.

Returning to drama in education, the MUT is perplexed how the Drama Unit, which enjoys an excellent track record spanning a number of years, has been bereft of staff and resources while at the same time the authorities are virtually permitting outsourcing of personnel. It is pertinent to point out that such human resource engagement leaves the system impaired vis-à-vis quality control and sets a precedent which undermines the teaching profession and its recruitment.

The MUT calls on the education authorities to look into this matter and to the serious consequences it might have on the system by way of precedent.