University, Junior College exam results to be withheld in dispute

Alfred Farrugia

Jun 8th 2008, 02:55

At a university in Virginia, USA, where I have been teaching until last month – the end of the Spring semester, the results have to be posted online on the university’s self-service web site for students, faculty and staff, within 48 hours of the examination, or the submission of the final papers. Perhaps the MUT may wish to introduce this practice.

Was it not the MUT a long time ago - 1974/75 - that put pressure on the Labour government of the time to remove the graduate scale from state secondary schools, and eventually succeeded to do so? Where were the MUT’s interests of the graduate secondary school teachers then? I have no doubt that the academic staff in Malta do the best they can and might deserve better remuneration and conditions of work. But they should not allow themselves to be used unprofessionally, if they wish to continue to enjoy the respect that they deserve.

Sean Schembri

Jun 8th 2008, 02:07

We as students should sympathize with the lecturer if their conditions are not good but NOT when our rights are being threatened. This is the second case where the MUT decided to protest but instead of going against the administration the students are blaming for it!! This is not acceptable! From MUT's part and also the Education system is resulting in a flop. Hope the new minister intervenes and see how the system is currently working and instead of investing in buildings and stones start investing in reality in the system!!!

Roberta Briffa

Jun 7th 2008, 15:01

Many think that lecturers and teachers have an easy life. Although they are blessed with well-deserved holidays, many work really hard during the academic year and also during the summer months by planning lessons and lectures, choosing and updating textbooks etc. Some students do not seem to appreciate this, even though lecturers and teachers have to put up with lack of respect and attitude problems. Instead of saying shame on lecturers who are trying to fight for their rights as all people from every walk of life should do, students should try to understand the situation and support whenever possible and vice-versa.

Oliver Cini

Jun 7th 2008, 13:50

This is simply arrogant from the unions side. they just want to see that there members are well kept while the students suffer. that is simply not done especially for students in there last years with finals ahead .
Please remember that the true employer of your members is not the university of Malta nor the government. but us the working and tax paying class. this is a shames full and arrogant action towards all students. they should have waited a little bit after the exams at least this will have a ripple effect on the students mind making them more stressed.

besides all this are teachers payed enough why they want more our country is straggling for a future and you always want more with out giving more.
you should be ashamed your doing this more money and power hence some teachers are lazy as well.

P.S. I am not a student nor some one involved in university i am just a tax payer.

Regards
Oliver Cini

Dr Frank Portelli

Jun 7th 2008, 12:59

Hurting Patients and now Students

So Academic staff at the University of Malta and the Junior College
have been directed to withhold issuing examination results until
further notice

This is now hurting Students

Already some university staff have been doing their utmost to
sabotage the proposed setting up of a new foreign graduate medical
school – as this will interfere with their comfortable lifestyle

These individuals are employed as Consultants at Mater Dei, receive
remuneration as Lecturers at the University, and have lucrative
Private Practices, in Malta as well as abroad!

Scandalous waiting lists, poor output in government service at Mater
Dei , minimal commitment to teaching – but much time to treat
private patients not only in Malta but also in Libya.


Scandalous? –rather moderate terminology to use in my view when you
first hurt patients and now start hurting students.

Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed)
St Pauls Bay

Colin Bonnici

Jun 7th 2008, 11:32

"The unions said they have been very careful not to let their directives have negative repercussions on the students"... I think that a negative repercussion that has not been considered is that we won't know our results! Those who are in power, do they realise that the most who are going to suffer are us students?

Shaun Abdilla

Jun 7th 2008, 11:16

A disgrace. Typical Maltese disorganisation and laziness in directing changes, when they are for the good. I also ask how they are thinking of "not letting directives having negative repercussions on the students", when this goes directly against summer plans for each and every student who is waiting for the results, just because of some petty dispute between parties who are obviously interested in their own personal well being and not in the smooth running of University. I hope that this problem will be addressed as soon and in as efficient a manner as possible.

Jennifer Cosaitis

Jun 7th 2008, 10:38

The end targets of this action are the students, whatever the unions are saying. They should try pulling the other one!

Do we need this added stress? This is appalling. Shame on you both