Saturday, 3rd January 2009 - 11:49CET
Students to protest at impasse between university and lecturers
Students are being requested to take part in rallies being held on Wednesday at the University and the Junior College in protest at how the government and the University of Malta Academic Staff Association have been dealing with the issue over lecturers’ pay.
The rallies are being organised by the University Students’ Council. The council is calling on the government to start practising what it preaches and invest in education.
It is also asking lecturers to stop their intimidation tactics. Some, it was pointed out in a news conference this morning, were asking students to back them up. Students, the KSU said, should be provided with all the information so that they would be able to make up their own minds. Moreover, they could not be used as a bargaining tool.
The actions being taken by lecturers would have repercussions on students including those who were appealing decisions at the senate since they would have to wait longer to decide on their future. Moreover, both local and foreign students, were losing out and the latter might have to return home without any certification to prove their work.
The KSU, which is being backed by other student bodies, urged students to sign an online petition “Our education is not a bargaining tool” at www.ksu.org.mt.
Other student bodies are backing the KSU in their actions.
The Studenti Demokristjani Maltin said in a statement that while it acknowledged the urgency with which this situation should have long been settled in the interests of all parties concerned and taking into account the fact that the unions have failed to lift their directive which prevents the January examinations from taking place, it fully supported KSU.
SDM hoped that common sense would prevail and that a just solution would be found to the situation.
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KSU will explain in detail what has been going on for the last months, and the repercussions of every action taken. Both government and UMASA are being asked to solve the current headlock.
Exactly! That's why the students themselves should be heard, instead of letting others not holding the examinations or hold some rallies which don't really put the point across to the concerned parties.
I really would like to see sometime in the future lecturers and students in Malta working together, then again call me an idealist. Yet, I sincerely believe that can happen, because I have had the experience of having lecturers who really care about what the student has to say, even during a lecture.
If you're saying that this does not happen in a lecture with 100 students, you're absolutely right...and there we just pointed out a few other problems.
Unless student and lecturer don't at least put aside certain differences, we both end up being played by the authorities.
Also have a look at Evarist Bartolo's Talking Point on today's Times.
Mr Buhagiar with all due respect but you seem to not be getting the point. KSU is acting on advice and vote of KPS from which are dervied every student organisation on campus. So what are you implying that every student organisation is trying to protect the government? Are you a student at University? because you seem to be dramatising students point of views. I've had 3 lectures today and the 3 of them said that they have already given in the exams papers. And finally we can clearly see where your interest lies on how you are solely tryin to politicise the situation you believe that a rally at University wont make a difference but one in front of castille would...
You state: I have wtinessed lecturers who miss a lecture or leave early ( thus rushing through things) so that they can attend meetings related to their private firms or private business commitments .
Whilst that this may be true, are you referring to full-time lecturers or perhaps a part-time lecturer? In any case, do you have proof that the lecturer rushed to attend a meeting of his private business....or is this something you are assuming/imagining? Please be factual.
Relevant to the argument you make is that the working conditions for full-time academics are not anymore attractive when one considers the increase in workload (higher student:staff ratio) and a Collective Agreement that expired 5 years ago. The consequence is simple...more academics are changing their status to that of part-timers. Is this what you want to see....more part-timers?
One may indeed find a few bad apples but are all apples bad? Isn't it the same when it comes to students? Do all Uni students regularly attend lecturers for which the tax payer is supporting their stipend? Therefore, please be fair and do keep things in perspective!
I think you 're joking asking that question. If there are no students there will be no lecturers. Am i clear enough??
Do you need more evidence to recognize the fact that students are worried??? Have you understood the current atmosphere on campus at the moment??? Do you really think that a rally on the campus itself is really going to solve something???
I thought that SDM in KSU upholds the same past principles of going to Castille whenever the students' interest was disrespected. But apparently for the KSU to voice its preoccupations there need to be a Labour Government!
I would like to congratulate you personally for all the hard work you and all other members of the student unions are putting in for us students, which astonishingly isn't being appreciated by some bloggers on here. But as ALWAYS happens in Malta, we (mainly some students on this website) are wasting precious time politicising this issue when we should all be united in resolving this dispute for the common good.
Maybe the partisan Maltese media is to blame for its incessant brainwashing and bickering over who is right or wrong. Let us get this straight here: It is NOT entirely the government's fault. It is NOT entirely the lecturers' fault. And it is DEFINITELY NOT the students' fault. So why we are being put through this torment is beyond me.
Has anyone heard about the 80million euro project for the new parliament? Now how about scrapping that project and get that money pumped into the education mr government?
@ Madeline Caruana
the student should make him/herself heard, because he is part of university as every other lecturer is? There can't be a university with no students, can there?
Jiena fil-punti tieghi ghid illi mhux kulhadd haqu z-zieda tal-paga, ghax hemm ghalliema, iva li jiddedikaw ruhhom ghax xoghol u hemm ukoll min lanqas biss jaghti kaz x'lezzjoni ghandu. jiena ma nitkellimx politikament, ghax jekk ikun gvern blu jghidu mod imbaghad jitla ' gvern ahmar u jsir kwazi xorta.
Jien naqbel li dawn l-affarijiet ma jdahlux lill-istudenti fihom , imma ssir diskussjoni bejn il-gvern u min hu responsabbli. ghax fl-ahhar iz-zghir dejjem jaqlaghha u f'dan il-kaz hu l-istudent.
Do we have to "nag, nag, nag all the time about politics and wages and all that, like mean narrow housewives."(1) all the way through?
At least KSU is sounding off its clarion.. Only then can we students make ourselves heard..
Here we go again, ladies and gentlemen fasten your seatbelts, we are off to Lilliput (2)!
1) From D.H Lawrence's "Nottingham and the Mining Country" (1929)
2) the island of the little people were Gulliver finds himself on after his shipwreck..
For starters, I'm a taxpayer too, part of my summer wages are going to the university just like yours. Also, I have done extra research work for the university which is non-assessed. So until you know me, please don't comment on what I care about.
Exams, and their results, are an enormous source of feedback for students who, like myself, study all year round. I work hard to get an education I can use in the future to help people. Unfortunately, we live in a meritocratic society- so that symbol with the UoM seal is actually quite important.
As for your comments on the stipend agreement, I think both students and the university shoul be seen as responsIble for the continuation of the student's education, which, at the end of the day, is what a stipend is encouraging.
Why do you expect UMASA to involve KSU when it has absolutely nothing to do with the issue?
@ l galea - because ksu are student representatives and it would have been prudent of umasa to involve ksu when it became clear that directives would have to be issued (hence affecting students)
Umasa would have found that they would have had a lot more student support than they currently do if they had involved them earlier on, as we now know that the government is using this to their advantage by trying to make students feel betrayed by their lecturers.
Student support is crucial and they have everything to do with the situation, the consequences of not investing in lecturers will obviously be severe for students. (e.g a brain drain of lecturers who either go abroad to find better wages or privatisation, which will offer better wages (and charge students) thus creating a situation where rich students will be able to afford a private uni that pays for quality lecturers and poor ones will be left with the free uom which does not offer good wages and thus does not attract the best lecturers.)
4th year univ student
It astonishes me how certain people who seem to who no particular insight on what is going on at University or really care about how students will be affected for the matter tried to polticise the issue into a petty PN vs PL dispute. Let's grow up pls and instead of simply using this as a means to vent our frustration on politics, lets unite as one student body forgetting political differences and show them that we are not there to bargain with!
KSU together with all other student organisation is doing an excellent job in my opinion and informing students adequately on the situation as it stands!
It was always my impression that people attend universities for love of knowledge and not just to pass exams. All that Glorianne Spiteri is concerned about is just to get that piece of paper with the UOM seal on it. If there is anyone who should be insulted then is us tax-payers.
It is better for students to see that the stipends contract will no longer be one-way but clauses should be added to safegaurd students rights. If there is a situation where exams and the continuous assessments cannot be held due to any reason, then the government is held responsable. That is what you students should discuus and fight for.
Il-kwistjoni mhix minhabba l-fatt li Malta tiprovdi stipendju imma minhabba l-fatt li l-gvern ghandu jinvesti l-flus fl-edukazjoni kif kien wieghed fl-elezjoni. Tinvesti fl-edukazjoni ma jfissirx tibni skejjel godda imma tinvesti fil-haddiema li jghalmu wkoll.
@Madeline Caruana
Ija, jien studenta universitarja imma ma jfissirx li ma naqbilx maz-zieda tal-lecturers. Meta l-gvern laburista rid inaqqas l-istipendji kien inqala kaos shih ghalkemm din il-gurnata l-istiopendji qatt ma zdiedu. Dan ifisser li ghal hafna studenti l-importanti hu li jkollom stipendju u jhossuhom indipendenti x'jigri minn jaghlimom. Personalment nahseb li ghandna nkunu ta' apogg ma min jaghlimna u mhux bil-kontra.
@C.Sammut
Ghalfejn il-lecturers m'ghandhomx ikollom zieda + ikolna librerija miftuha 24/7 ghalkemm nidubita kemm imorru studenti il-hadd jew is-sibt filghaxija. Kien dan il-gvern li ftahar kemm jinvesti fl-edukazjoni u ahna ghadna qed nistennew dan l-investiment.
With all the respect, I don't know if you are/were a university student, I spoke in my case as a student with the same of all my friends had in university. Been there, done that. so please you should check ALL the facts then. Thanks .
Have you been following the issue?? KSU has been trying to bring close the parties since day 1 of the dispute.
Ghaliex flok jipprotestaw ma ppruvawx iressqu lil partijiet lejn xulxin biex tinstab soluzzjoni???
@KSU
Fejn kontu meta l-istipendji tal-istudenti bhal B Comm. u ohrajn tnaqqas bin-nofs? Ma niftakarx li saru xi protesti. Allura tibqghu tghidu li intom kunsill li jhares l-interessi tal-istudenti?
Rallying against the standstill is not an action as such. A real action is both lecturers(those who do attend for lecturers regularly mostly) and students getting organised and boycotting university altogether, because that's how the authorities wake up to reality. At least that would spare us all the tension of whether exams are being held or not.
Secondly, in Malta, at least from my viewpoint, the student never felt as being a contributor of knowledge, only a receiver. Some lecturers would agree. It's just "let's pass exams and move on", and I admit to that hands down. So the problem is a tad bigger than a mere standstill in talks.
And thirdly, there is no better student represntative than the student him/herself.
Then I gladly invite you to next Wednesday's Rally and to sign our online petition on www.ksu.org.mt
Mhux veru li Malta u Cuba Biss jghatu lis-stipends lis-studenti.
N-Norvegia hu l-ahjar pajjiz statistakement fej tista toqod fid-dinja w lis-studenti taghhom bli-stipends ukoll.
Il gvern ma jistax jnehhi lis-stipends, ghax johrog il-PL u l-AD biex jiekluhom.
The lecturers should realise that if they want a private sector pay check, they should get the job security of the private sector.
That is , I'm all for higher wages, BUT contract basis, renewable yearly.
Why? Good lecturers will have no problem at all doing as they always do, but incompentant lecturers can either change their ways and start giving their 100% or they can kiss their job good bye and with those wages we can replace them with foreigners from Top Universities or people from the private sector.
With good, comes bad, thats life. What UMASA wants is Fantasy.
Lecturer Salary Figures wanted (Average Salary: Eur 51,000aprox) http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080930/local/government-makes-take-it-or-leave-it-offer-to-lecturers
UK Lecturer Salaries Compared (Average Salary: Euro 45,000aprox):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/nov/17/lecturerspay-highereducation
@Andrew Galea: I guess Lecturers have a right to strike too, the same thing happened in the UK.
And what action have been taken....that of defending the government?
It doesn't mattter how much you mention Gonzipn in your press conferences, now we need substance.
KSU has met up with both parties within days of the issuing of the Directives. KSU met up with University administration on the morning Friday 19th December. The official meeting with Dolores Cristina and Tonio Fenech was set up later that same day and the meeting with UMASA was set up the following Monday.
Also, further meetings attended by all the parties took place in that same week.
In the meantime KSU has kept close contact with all the parties, meaning Government, UMASA and University administration, whilst at the same time holding meetings with all the student representatives, briefing them about the situation and together we decided on what action had to be taken.
Our main focus was the student's interest, and we took all precautions not to take any untimely actions that would further deteriorate the situation. Yet now, less than 2 weeks from the start of exams, we can no longer accept this delay.
Thus we are urging both parties to move on with the negotiations, and are doing everything within our power to make sure this happens.
But please do pressure up the Government to stop playing the game of ifred u saltan. Govt is trying to put in a bad picture the union representative as was the case with the MUMN with the nurses and midwifes.
Qabel, tasal f'punt ta' Rally inti trid tiddiskuti mal-mejda l-ohra, 1. biex tifhem in-naha taghhom, u tara l-possibilita' li tinghaqad ma' naha jew ohra.
Jekk dan ma jkunx possibli, L-KSU (l-istudenti), ghandhom ic-cans, li jipproponu l-ideat taghhom, biex tissolva din il-Krizi mil-aktar fis possibli. Ghandhom ic-cans ikunu huma "is-salvaturi" ta' din is-sitwazzjoni. Ghandhom ic-cans, li mhux talli jiddefendu lil l-istudenti b'mod demokratiku u moderat, izda wkoll li jkunu progressivi u jitfghu lil istudent fuq status ghola fis-socjeta', u jekk dan sar, l-istudent ma giex ikkonsultat.
Jien il-Petizzjoni ghamilta, u rally ghandi nkun prezenti, pero mhiniex kuntent, lanqas xejn, ghax fl-istess ilma bqajna.
L-Ilma minghajr sens ta' pjan u organizzazjoni, u jekk dak li qal il-kugin huwa minni, jekk taghmel 1+1 jinftiehem kollox facilment.
U nzid, li ehe nafu x'inhi l-problema, u hemm bzonn naghmlu bhal ma jaghmlu barra, jinghaqdu!
Din mhi xejn hlief tattika "antika" biex kulhadd jispicca wahdu u j'aljena ruhu! U min hu fil-poter jibqa' fil-poter u jghaddi minn fuq kulhadd!
Wisq nibza, li l-KSU huwa komplici, jew halli nkun gust, mhux jinduna.
"Malta flimkien ma Cuba huma l-unika 2 pajjizi fid-dinja li jaghtu stipendji lill-istudenti"
"Jidispjacini li li l-ksu jahsbu biss fl-istipendji tal-istudenti biss"
Ms Caruana I think you're highly uninformed and if I were you I would check my facts first
Malta flimkien ma Cuba huma l-unika 2 pajjizi fid-dinja li jaghtu stipendji lill-istudenti u nahseb huwa incentiv gust imma ma nahsibx li huwa sew li ahna bhala studenti nkunu kontra li l-gvern jati s-somma misthoqqa lil min jaghlimna u wara kollox ftakru li ahna naqalaw il-flus li lil gvern jiguh miljun ta' ewro, li l-maggoranza taghna qas biss ahna gradwati filwaqt li nipretendu li l-lecturers ma jkollomx iz-zieda wara li huma nies gradwati u ta' esperjenza kbira fil-qasam li jaghlmu fih.
Jidispjacini li li l-ksu jahsbu biss fl-istipendji tal-istudenti biss, personalment nemmen li l-istudneti u l-lectureres ghandhom jimxu id f'id imma milli jider mhux kulhadd jahsiba l-istess.
what do you prefer: lecturers having a very good paycheque or University having the money to even have all the buildings with wi-fi or a library to open 24/7?
i don't know about you but I have witnessed lecturers recycling notes...and exam papers and the authorities know this.
Perhaps KSU could also push for University to have more power seeing that the current Education Act gives a lot of prerogative powers to faculty boards which end up being a group of colleagues manipulating departments, exam paper layouts and continue to encourage laziness amongst the lecturing staff and the student body?
If the Government is going to act the same way with the University staff it is going to be us students who are going to pay the consequences. It will be us students who will be present each morning in class facing the discontented lecturers and not Lawrence Gonzi or any other member of the Cabinet.
That is why students should unite! Facts are written in black on white, now all parties need to respect their promises.
Il-gvern fl-ahhar mill-ahhar kien li wieghed zieda u xeba kummidji u jekk issa ma jistax iwettaqom jidispjacini imma ghandu tort.
Hawn hafna li qed ipengu l-lecturers bhala nies li qatt ma jaghmlu xoghlom. Dawn l-istudenti li qed jaleggaw dawn l-affarijiet ghandhom isemmu l-ismijiet + il-collective agreement tal-lecturers skada 5snin ilu u sa fejn naf jien lezzjonijiet dejjem kien hawn f'dawn l-ahhar 5snin.
Lecturer partikolari wasal anke biex baghtilna e-mail li se jibqa jghina u jatina appogg.
Jekk ghandkom tiprotestaw morru iprotestaw kontra min wieghed zieda ghax li kieku ma kienx ghal li ghamel il-gvern kieku mhux qedghin f'din is-sitwazzjoni!!!
The issue is quite simple. The academic body has had it with salaries that do not reflect the level of qualifications they must possess and the kind of work expected of them; tired of being among the lowest-paid professional group in the country, not to mention the EU. We also believe that in the long term it is a false economy and a bad educational policy that discourages qualified people from becoming academics (which is what is happening) or forces academics to focus on additional income-earning activities..
The authorities reacted to the unions' request for better salaries -- after the collective agreement had lapsed 5 years ago -- by offering a token increase but expecting much stiffer working conditions, including the decrease of leave entitlement and the expectation to work until 8.00 p.m. if required (among a long list of new conditions which are more suitable for business corporations than universities).
That, in a nutshell, is the situation.
How well is the revision of paper is being done? and how many students remain out of various establishments, such as university because of some 'casual' errors' of your system?
Fast work = erroneous work = resets or maybe suppressing potential good students, which finish up working in a job that was not for them or maybe knocking on ETC's doors the next morning. Then we know all the other results, because some people end up smuggling drugs or consuming them: as an escapism or to acquire money, although this is not always the case. But this is how criminals are made, because they end up with nothing to lose! surely they would have lost every opportunity before... And who wants more dis-employment or misplaced people?! is this what the government and the institutions want? For them the answers since we seem not to comprehend.
But we understand one thing that it's time for us now to protest. STUDENTS MAKE YOUR VOICES BE HEARD.
BUT WHAT ABOUT STUDENT RIGHTS?
What shall they get? A continuous laugh in their face? An exam system that never worked and never will? Exams that are programmed for the student to fail? to have only the numbers required.... And not for the monitoring and as an incentive for him to work harder? Or maybe exams being corrected in a blink of an eye with obvious results... How well is the correcting job being made?
"The council is calling on the government to start practising what it preaches and invest in education."
Does this phrase from the KSU Press Conference strike you as partial to the government?
But then people with blinkers always choose to read what they want.
I find your statements that we are all pushing a government agenda an insult. The only agenda we are pushing is the students'. As I said in previous posts, ALL STUDENT ORGANISATIONS regarding of their leanings - it's important to state that the organisation that I represent does not and should not have any other leaning other than the good of the student - rallied behind KSU in this matter. I was in the room with all of them and I know for a fact that organisations that are usually on the other side of the spectrum in other matters put all their weight behind KSU in this issue. They were also present at yesterday's conference symbolically standing behind the KSU executive as a show of unity.
From what I understood, KSU is only watching closely the parties and making sure they meet. When the student reps asked for the text of the collective agreement both parties were 'hostile' in saying no. This is why we need to get out there and show everyone that we are neither the Government's nor the lecturer's puppets.
KSJC is one of the organizations which is supporting KSU on this issue, therefore yes KSU has our full-back up.
What I personally find frustrating is that I would like to take sides either of the government or lecturers but I cannot, as I believe that we students do not know what is happening behind the closed doors. KSU claim that they are monitoring discussions between the Government and UMASA and then informing students. I personally feel that we are not being informed about what the turmoil is about.
All we know is that UMASA is demanding a pay rise whilst Government is saying 'no'.
If the UMASA is seeking support from students they should have got students involved in the bargaining and not used in the bargaining.
Let me remind you that it is in the interest of NET television to picture KSU as an organisation that is against UMASA whilst it's in the interest of ONE television to picture the KSU as an organisation standing against the Government. Thus, please remain focus on the true picture. As far as I know there hasn't been a declaration by KSU that they are taking sides.
I find your phrase "So exams or not shut up and get on with it" to be entirely insulting. How on earth are we supposed to "get on" with our education if exams and continuous assessment might not be held?
The stipend contract stipulates that if a student doesn't fare well in exams and assessments said student will have to repay the money granted to them. There's no word on what to do if exams aren't held because such a concept is obsurd in an institute of higher education, and that is what we students are arguing over.
So while I study for exams that might not be held and have my immediate postgraduate opportunities jepordised, I'll just get on with it.
@Andrew Camilleri- KSU are not part of the negotiations because they cannot be. They have, however, been in continuous contact with both parties ever since this whole monstrosity started.
1 They are really limited in time so one can only give a feed back of lets say 3 hours for what has been done in 3 months. While we should be examined during all time; for our performance on campus, starting from the attendance, participation, initiative, originality, discussion, oral, projects and assignments, presentations and so on.
2 In fact these are mainly used normally to fill the semesters and they are not relevant for the exams.
3 Not only that but mainly if one gets an assignment on a particular subject it normally never comes out for the exam. So is the exam really testing what is being done during the year?
4 Open book exams, research and oral examinations should be more relevant.
So KSU WE DON'T NEED YOU TO FIGHT FOR THE UNJUST EXAMS TO BE DONE BUT FOR THE FULL REFORM OF THE SCHOLASTIC EXAMINATIONS IN UNIVERSITY AND ELSEWHERE!!!
yes, not all lecturers do their work so why not the ones that do first insist that the ones that don't are up-to-notch and prove that they deserve such a substantial pay rise.
It is not a question of whether the Government or UMASA is wrong - they both are. As Ms Avellino stated in the press conference, the Government needs to fork out money for higher education (and that doesn't mean only better wages for lecturers - it means money directly given to ensure that we have the necessary resources to learn).
...and for those who think that this KSU hasn't criticised the Government you're uninformed and stuck to cliches: University Ombudsman, University Trust Fund and the effects that water and electricity bills will have on students living alone. These are just the ones that were made public. KSU has for the past year organised behind-closed-door meetings complaining about a myriad of issues that are either currently present or else highly like to sprout out.
But please dear students, please, do not forget that those who are being so careful with our taxes regarding money spent on the lecturers (maybe rightly maybe not!!) weren't so careful when behind everybody's back they gave themselves a payrise of 290 euros!!
Either the financial crisis is there for everyone or for everyone except the cabinet!!
That being said I sincerely cannot imagine the current KSU to be able be act impartially in this dispute. The political allegiances of KSU are very well known and no amount of shouting about impartiality can convince students otherwise
"A strike is meant to hurt the employer and those usign his service. How would you expect it would hurt arrogant and intransigent Gonzipn if they strike in Summer?"
So you are essentially agreeing with the option that it should hurt the students (instead) because that's the most effective thing - jeopardising their education! Tajjeb ukoll.
@ J. Borg
"Also, it may be the case that lecturers turn up late as some of them are called on official duty by Government itself....turning up at the University on time and ....ooppsss.....taking long to find a parking space!"
If the lecturers take long to find a parking space, then I don't think you've ever noticed the chaotic situation students have to go through day after day to park their cars there. Without a doubt, lecturers and other staff have it much easier to park their cars, while students have to scramble on top of each other, bumping into each other's cars, park illegally and risk getting clamped most of the time, as the alternative would be to go around for an hour praying you'll find a spot, subsequently missing the lecture/s!
To state that lecturers haven't the slightest respect to students is indeed very very wrong. IF lecturers did not respect students, they would have not kept on delivering lectures even after 5 years that their collective agreement expired. So please, be fair in your comments.
@D.Pace
Please do note generalize and state that lecturers only work for a few hours and turn up late. This is probably the case of some part-time lecturers (not all). Some full-time lecturers have precisely changed their status to part-time simply because they had better opportunities else where. Is this what you want to see....more part-time lecturers and less full-timers? Also, it may be the case that lecturers turn up late as some of them are called on official duty by Government itself....turning up at the University on time and ....ooppsss.....taking long to find a parking space!
Finally, why doesn't KSU publish lecturer names that turn up late? One call also list student names that do not turn up for lectures when they get a stipend.....So please, when making comments, state what is black as black and what is white as white.
A strike is meant to hurt the employer and those usign his service. How would you expect it would hurt arrogant and intransigent Gonzipn if they strike in Summer?
Joseph Cremona
Do you mean KSUħat?
Are you aware of the shameful €290 per week increase which the arrogant Gonzipn, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries awarded themselves in their salaries?
Katie Micallef
Why do you expect UMASA to involve KSU when it has absolutely nothing to do with the issue?
I understand their side of the question, and I agree that it is unfair; but then are the above conditions I described fair to the students?
I'm not talking politically here, or agree with KSU, because I don't feel to.
Please note R.Avellino's comment decalring that even KSJC attended KPS meetings therefore was part of the movement against this whole issue.
Let's Make it clear US STUDENTS ARE NOT AGAINST THE LECTURERS NOR ARE AGAINST THE GOVERMENT WE ARE AGAINST US STUDENTS BEING USED BY BOTH OF THEM !!! that is why students are encouraged to voice their opinions and show not only we are not a bargaining tool but we are the future of this country !!
the UMASA/MUT is to be blamed for using the students as their means to protest and the goverment is to be blamed for not investing in the lecturers !!
Pn used to say money no problem! what's the problem now?
clearly do not inform themselves of the facts first, everyone seems to have lost
sight of the fact that (whatever your loyalties are) many students' futures are
being jeopardized by the current situation and that KSU is trying to provide us
with a voice! And to say that we should be supporting the lecturers is
hysterical... why on EARTH would we allow our education to be played with or
stalled for their sakes? What sense is in that? We live in a highly competitive world and do not deserve undue stress or pressure. Whatever arguments the lecturers
have with the government, it should not concern us! I sympathise with them but cannot suffer as a consequence of their dispute.
They could strike in Summer. Nothing is impossible Carl.
instead of defending yourself and your KSJC with words, I invite you to state your position and declare your full back-up to the KSU.
That way you are defending yourselves with actions and not just words. Apart from that you are helping KSU's credibility and your common goal if it is the case.
I'd hate to assume... so do you even know what it includes? Are you aware of what ridiculous wages they're asking for?
the government was strong enough to do whatever he wanted on behalf of the maltaship yards but i wish that our lecturers give a hard time to a government that thinks he can do whatever he wants!! Which was elected by the people and FOR THE PEOPLE
STOP PLAYING GOVERNMENT'S GAME KSU AND FACE REALITY!
It is impossible for the lecturers to strike without affecting us students or else the university's reputation.
If they want to strike, they do so, as they have a right to do, but they should at least find a decent and respectable way of doing it... and leaving us to enjoy our fundamental right to our education!
i may suffer as a student because of the directives, but im willing to do that because they are working to ensure long term and all round excellence in the education sphere. Not getting exam results is bad but the alternative is far worse.
Stop thinking of the short term, fighting to get your exam results wont solve the real problem, it just throws a blanket of it for a while.
KSU needs to distinguish the problem in order to prevent any more damage. As soon as it would do this, the words spoken by Dominic Fenech would become obvious!
Please be assured that in ALL our meetings we never begrudged you your right to seek better working conditions. Only one lone voice in one meeting out of several, expressed incredulity at this but eventually understood your claim when ALL of us explained your right for freedom of association.
In ALL our meetings, ALL organisations worked tirelessly to represent our position in all fairness. We refuse to take sides for we acknowledge that both sides have legitimate concerns. The only side we are taking is the students': our right as students to be assessed for our work according to Senate regulations.
In this morning's conference, the KSU President, Roberta Avellino was very clear where the partiality lies: with the students.
Note that KSU has recognized the right for industrial action ever since the 7th June when this dispute had first started, in fact in a press release that can be seen here (http://www.portal.ksu.org.mt/content/view/284/lang,en/) we had explicitly pointed out that the parties had a right to take an industrial action, but condemned the fact that this was not being done proportionately.
Thus you can see that our stand has been consistent all throughout.
With regards to your comments that there is always an effected third party, granted. But then again receiving one's education isn't simply a contract of employment or of service. Other effected third parties, such as say, would-be passengers from an airline company that goes on strike, can seek financial redress from that company.
Our interest here isn't a financial one, its about our education, our careers and ultimately our own well-being. This is the very reason why we decide to dedicate our time and commitment to studying at University, thus to say that we should simply back off since this is the only way workers protect their rights is to grossly underestimate the situation we're in.
In regards to your comment about KSJC, "KSJC=Pulse=Labour".
KSJC is an independent organization with no political attachment whatsoever. KSJC is there to represent all the Junior College students irrespective of their political, religious background, etc.. We were elected by fellow Junior College students on our manifesto and NOT on any partisan political affiliated issues.
Our aim is to represent the Junior College students on a national and international level, voice students' concerns, strengthen their rights, promote education and cultural activities amongst the students and to satisfy the students' needs regarding JC matters or any other student-related issues.
Therefore your statement is completely false and it is not acceptable to allocate us whatsoever with the PL because our sole interest is the students!
Most probably you aren't a student of Junior College so you don't really know a lot how things work in Pulse at the moment, but I'm sure that we are not somehow allocated to any political party. It is really disrespectful because our members come from all types of political and social backgrounds.
Thanks,
Kyle Civelli
President KSJC
http://www.one.com.mt/index.php?id=326
After reading One's article, with the same reasoning done previously, one should think that KSU is all out against the government and is therefore leaning in favour of PL.
But I expect this thinking to be done from naive people and/or brainwashed by the political parties (both)
Well I really hope so. I'm longing to see the next Article being published on this website having the following heading: 'UMASA waive Directives and start agreeing on a roadmap with KSU leading to higher education in Malta'.
However it seems that UMASA only calls on the students to help it in its protests...
As part of the organizations' team, then you should know what KSU is all about...
I fully appreciate all your efforts but I really can't understand the significance of a rally on campus. Without any doubt, it is another flop from the KSU. Not the sort of things they used to do in the times of a Labour Government!
@ f Cassar
You may be living in the clouds! I'm not a Labour blogger, I'm just an ordinary student who dislikes having my intelligence offended by this so-called Kunsill ta' l-Istudenti Universitarji.
mela jiena minix qeghda nzomm ma hadd. bhalissa ma tantx jimpurtani mil politika. aktar jimpurtani mill-istudji tieghi. bhalissa fil- gvern il pn hemm so x jaghmel hu irid nara. Il-fatt huwa li ahna kien hemm lecturer li telaq mil previous xoghol tieghu ghax qalulu li kien se jkun hemm agreement gdid fejn jista jaqla aktar flus biex issa spicca qed jaqla inqas milli kien fix-xoghol ta qabel. plus li dawn ma jistawx jatu privatijiet igfieri b dik il paga jridu jibqaw. qed nitkellem kontrja stess ghax jien studenta imma l- affarjiet trid tajdhom kif inhuma hi.
ahjar ma ndahlux aktar poltika nies ax fl- ahar mill- ahhar ahna qed nbatu mhux huma.
You know, when I ask my boss for a pay rise, he'd evaluate my performance at work and see if I deserve it or not... but you lecturers do things the wrong way round... Ask the gov. for your pay rise, then you'll perform...How funny!! It's a pity we're so limited on lecturers caue you would have long been jobless.
A Council elected by less than quarter of the University students is no council for me. It is in fact a group of students who lacks the opportunity to exploit the pitiful partisan situation of the university students. In the meantime, KSU opts to behave like a PN apologist!
Roberta Avellino is trying to shift her burden onto the other organizations unlike she has done whenever she and her colleagues knew that the final outcome would be positive. At these times she pretended that the other students' organizations do not exist, in case any other students' representative would want some merit!
As I said before, you will not convince me with this song of "fighting for your rights"! Anyone would challenge Ms.Avellino and the rest of the KSU to explain what they understand by defending the students.
First they need to come out with a reasonable solution on behalf of the students' opinions!
As for those who keep on about lecturers not doing their job properly, they never once mention a single name.
All UOM students have a right to vote. Not voting is voting anyway, just irresponsibly.
Remember in 2003 when Alfred Sant considered the dead and those who didn't vote as part of the no vote? So you mean to say that we should exclude the 7000 students who don't vote in the KSU elections? Should KSU then only give parking permits to those who voted in the election since it apparently only represents those who voted.
I don't need the media to tell me KSU's position as I've heard it from the horse's mouth.
As a representative for the psychology students' association, i was among the 20 other student organisations who spent hours at university these holidays trying to work out what's best for students in the middle of all this. It is not about whether lecturers or the government are in the wrong- but that the action being taken is of serious harm to us students.
It's students like you who make me rethink the amount of time and energy i've invested in speaking up for studentkind. Before you make any further bold statements, try to find out what's really happening.
2) This is a big political lobby , the government against lectureres, and we (poor students being sacrificed by the devil, because some said our lectureres are the devil's best friend) are being used by them. BUT in the first place WHO PROMISED THE LECTURERES A BETTER LIFE ''bla bla'' and never implemented what was promised?!
3) As agoistic as the human beings can be, and since I'm one of them (till now), it's more logic to side on the lecturers side because if they are happy they just do their work better . Happier the lecturers, the better we learn......I love you, you love me, we're a happy family!!
4) I would like to see those intellectuals give this country an example of how to fight for our rights!! Let's go boys and girls kick some....
KSU is going to protest because the students are being used as a bargaining tool and then some of you Labour bloggers have the cheek to call them partisan!
No wonder that Education and Labour don't go together!
All the press has been invited to today’s press conference, hosted by KSU alongside all the student organizations whose members have been working endlessly towards finding a peaceful means of voicing the students’ worry, even throughout our well deserved Christmas holidays.
It is also very important to point out that during a meeting between KSU, MUT and UMASA, KSU has in fact asked for the counter-proposals presented to the Government by UMASA for the students to analyze and take an informed stand. Nonetheless, our request was out rightly denied.
There is nothing political to the rally being held on Wednesday. It is simply an expression of disapproval at the current situation at both parties.
KSU is not taking the governments side. Had you been at the Press Conference this morning, you would have heard Roberta Avellino criticising the government, and also criticising UMASA.
Have some faith in your representatives! They spend their time fighting for your rights and this is how you show your support.
In every industrial dispute, the third party is effected. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the only solution available for a worker to fight for his/her rights.
Having said that, I don't know whether the demands of the academic staff are justified or not. COnsequently,I can't judge whether the UNiversity of Malta and/or the government are just in their position.
What is sure, is that the intervention of the KSU would not make matters easier rather the contrary. Already there are to many players in this farse ... 2 trade union, the government, the university, adding a 5 would sure complicate matter. Apart, with the KSU a third view point/angle of comfrontation has been created.
So it's your fault if you don't like your ksu.
" don't believe the student stand is against lecturers in any way."
Sorry Ms.Spiteri, but that is different from what Maltarightnow is reporting at the moment. KSU needs to take a firmer stand rather than ending up in the usual excuse in order to shut the students' mouths!
Refusing to pinpoint out the problem or else a serious idea to fix it, at least KSU should explain what it means by fighting for the students' interests!
@ Luke Mizzi (who's so proud of being SDM)
Yes, Ms. Avellino chose to call it Gonzi's way - Vizjoni 2015 and not as they're normally called as the European criteria. But leaving such petty arguments behind, where were SDM in the utility tariffs' protests?
Don't you think the desire for a person to study further must come from the love of knowledge. and not from some stipend. Honestly I think it promotes laziness and a culture where the government must give us everything. Apart from that many universities worldwide promote work and study simultaneously especially if work is found in the area of study. This gives young people experience and exposure.
Apart from this the governments must see what lecturers are giving for the salary they are getting. I'm sure that there are lecturers which give very little to students in return for their salary they are getting whilst there are some which give students much more than they are paid for.
It is ABOUT TIME THAT JOB EVALUATIONS BE DONE AND NOT AT UNIVERSITY ONLY BUT ALL PUBLIC SECTOR. May everyone gets what he deserves.
My course i think its one of the hardest in the univeristy! Medicine aint easy right?
those who are not sure about the partisinship, check here http://maltarightnow.com/?module=news&at=L%2Distudenti+ma+g%26%23295%3Bandomx+jintu%26%23380%3Baw+b%26%23295%3Bala+g%26%23295%3Bodda+fin%2Dnegozjati&t=a&aid=99809345&cid=19
And yes, I will refuse to attend the rally. It is a gimmick! Being a floater I can't avoid thinking that this is another sort of a PN tactic where net news comes out at 8 o'clock grinning because students are still on the Gonzi side. To sum up students should voice a singular call, WE SUPPORT OUR LECTURERS!
Fed up with this type of KSU,
Carl Buhagiar
University Student
I don't believe the student stand is against lecturers in any way. We, however, couldn't learn as much as we would have liked about the collective agreement, we merely received the recommendation to side with lecturers as its "worth our while"- therefore, our analysis can't be as in-depth as we might have liked.
Regardless of what lecturers are asking, we students are putting our best foot forward to stand up for our rights- which, at present, we feel, are being neglected.
I don't really care about the government but if this deadlock means I have to sit all my exams in June then I'm definitely going to protest! Not against the lecturers or the government but just because it would be completely unfair and would directly affect my grade, my degree and my future career. If you are lucky enough to be in a course which doesn't have many intensive exams then goodluck to you!!
I think you're all too worried about the credibility of KSU which is completely irrelevant
especially since ALL the student organisations (including the labour leaning ones) want this rally... i hope the lecturers who deserve it get their pay-rise but not at the expense of my exams and grades!!!
Though the press conference was addressed by KSU, it was done in the name of over 20 student organisations. Rather than having a KSU which imposed its will over all student bodies, KSU has in the past few weeks been formulating its policy together with all student organisations.
KSU and the student organisations also recognised the need that the quest for a 'higher education' does obviously require further investment from the government.
I however wonder how UMASA pretends students to support its cause when it is causing unnecessary tension to students during an examination period.
I wonder how UMASA pretends students to support its cause when it is preaching about having a 'higher education' whilst at the same time damaging irreparably our university's reputation.
I wonder why rather than sending its members out to protest, as other unions do, UMASA tries to organise an industrial action which tries to make others (students) protest for its cause.
This is such a stupid thing....you want more pay...go work abroad...broaden your mind. NEVER use students to get what you want!
I'll support the students as they are the innocent victims in this comedy! You are the intelligent guys so act like it!
So the fact that all KSU members are Nazzjonalisti is a mere coincidence.
The protest is not against the lecturers... its against our right to an education being used as their bargaining tool!!
Do you realise the danger of our exams being postponed? How can we possibly squeeze them in to the second semester? or God forbid, sit for ALL the exams in one sitting? The university does not even have the resources for that to happen... besides the idea being ridiculously stressful just to think of it...
Students have a right to protest or whatever - there's no arguing over that. I will also not comment on the KSU/SDM and partisanship. It really wouldn't be fair. So, let's assume it's good intentions all round.
I would ask students who are considering going to the protest to do one thing. Read carefully the proposals and counter-proposals, and ask yourselves one question: Is it in your long-term interest (i.e. that of our tertiary education) that the academics' requests be upheld?
If your answer is yes, stick with us. If not, protest. Either way, we will respect your decision - as long as it's based on a rational and informed analysis.
What is this joke? Lecturers are playing with our education two weeks before exams! Show students some respect - you were a student once and so will your children be soon enough.
This is our right to education - is it right that because both parties are being hard-headed and arrogant with each other, us students are suffering in such manner?
That is why Moviment Zghazagh Partit Nazzjonalista (MZPN) has to split into SDM, and that is why Forum Zghazagh Laburisti has to split into Pulse.
When Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh tried to contest KSU elections they didn't let it, because it declared outright that it was part of the mother party.
Hypocrites and partisans!
AEGEE, AI, AIESEC, AS, BETA psi, COMMA, ELSA MALTA, GhMU, GhSK, GhSL, GhST, IAESTE, ICTSA, INSITE, JEF MALTA, KSJC, MADS, MKSU, MMSA, Mov. GRAFFITI, MPSA, MUSC, PULSE, S-CUBED, SACES, SDM, TSA, UESA, ULGBTS, CHAPLAINCY, USTA.
All student bodies are encouraged to participate in EVERY decision process.
We are ALL treated EQUALLY
EVERY voice counts.
ALL CARDS were on the table in all consultations with the Student Bodies. I know for sure for I was present at every one of them.
Therefore KSU = ALL STUDENTS' INTEREST AT HEART WHATEVER ANYONE ELSE SAYS.
Angelo Micallef- Secretary General SDM. Pull the other one Angelo. No need for affiliation to be written down.
Why don't you protest against the arrogant Gonzipn who always raise an issue with everyone to alienate the people from their everyday problems imposed by Gonzipn and the eu?
EFApn and Gonzipn always allow things to escalate on purpose so that when industrial action is taken people will start writing against those taking the action. This is EFApn and Gonzipn divide and rule policy. This is the social conscience of PN governments.
Carl Grech
Arrogance is being shown by Gonzipn in all sectors. Have you forgotten how many issues and industrial actions have been taken because of Gonzipn intransigence?
"This protest isn't about partisan politics.." hahaha. Pity it's not April 1.
J. Mamo
What's wrong with doing the first and second semesters exams together or just after the Easter recess? You are bright students attending University aren't you?
Glorianne Spiteri
No political affiliations? Are you joking? Didn't you know that whenever there is industrial action there is always someone caught in the middle? And attending University?
When are we going to realise that there is so much more to life than PN and PL, Till this poeple do that, we will never get ahead. IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP.
Today in its Press Conference, KSU criticised the government as it also criticised UMASA. But of course you're all quick to judge.
It is our education which is at stake! Both parties are playing hard-headed but their careers are settled. We're the ones who don't know if we'll be sitting for the exams we're studying for, (or for the younger ones, if they'll be able to sit for exams to make it to University). We should stand up to this situation and our main concern at this stage should be that the directives are lifted so that OUR education is secured!
Why politicise this issue? It's not the lecturers nor the government KSU defends, but our fundamental right to education.
I'll make sure I'm at the rally next Wednesday! My education is NOT a bargaining tool!!
The main thrust here is that students are being used as a bargaining tool in a situation which has surely degenerated big time.
It is not fair that to get what they are asking for (by and large unjustly) the lecturers use thier students as their bargaining tool.
Their actions will create undue pressure on the students and create alot of uncertainty.
The students are being unjustly used when they have absolutely no fault in alll of this.
And nobody should expect that the government backtracks just becuase the lecturers want a pay rise. Alla hares nigu f'din is-sitwazzjoni.
At this point the students should unite and put all petty political issues on the side. It will only make their situation worse.
The best thing that can happen to the lecturers at this point is that the students are divided. It shouldn't be.
All students should now rally behind the KSU.
And shame to the lecturers who are using the students as a human shield, they should consider the student's positions as well.
This is a partisan Protest, with the only scope of hiding the Government behind it. I AM FED UP WITH THIS TYPE OF fine propoganda by the government.
to KSU - your protest will be a whole FLOP. We will never attend partisan protests against lecturers or unions!
Go Protest by yourselves!
KPS meetings in 2002 are irrelevant. Having attended the last few KPS meetings myself I can attest that student action was not KSU's idea alone, but incorporated the ideas of 20 other student organisations, including my own. No shooting done, no 'lame' excuses were made but student organisations, whether or not inclusive of any partisan politics, put aside all their differences to work against the deadlock created between 2 selfish parties.
May i repeat that the rally is not against solely the government or the lecturers, but the lack of negotiations being taken place with our education on the line.
KSU = Students, all University Students = We've had enough of being used as toys by both Government and UMASA, and we're going to make that loud and clear
Know the facts before you speak please.
And - do you trust parliament? Do you trust government? Do you trust the opposition? Many of the members of these institutions have graduated from the University of Malta. Are they all self-taught? And if so, can you then rely on them? Or does your statement imply they and all professionals are charlatans?
Incidentally, 'professuri' is incorrect. Only a very small proportion of lecturers have the grade of professor. And the increments to wages requested range over a wide scale of grades.
'...KSU operates as an independent executive and there is no abnormal link between the KSU executive and the SDM executive.'
Oh come on, why don't you pull the other one.
have you ever published your accounts?
Why don't you protest against the HIGH Elecetricty and Water bills that your parents are going to pay?
The rally to be held is not organized by the PN nor by any other partisan organization but it is organized by KSU and is fully supported by both SDM and Pulse amongst many other student organizations.
@ A Camilleri
This protest is neither against the government not against UMASA/MUT but merely against the impasse caused by both parties concerned.
1) Increase salaries to what professors, lecturers want but then make sure that the lecturers are giving what their salary is worth. From what I observe and I v been working with a gov entity for 19 years, I never went through a job evaluation. The point is that i d rather pay for e.g. Eur 20000 and get their worth than paying 10000 and get half their worth or less or none.
2) Cut those stupid student stipends for most courses. As a science graduate I never received any stipend but had to pay for my own tuition and studied after 8 hours full time work. I m sure many students can at least work part time and study. They are mostly young and have sufficient energies, or only energies for alcohol and sleepless nights. Enough of this vote picking pampering!!!!!!!
KSU has so far not precluded the possibility of stronger actions being taken, in fact we have been saying all along that nothing is being excluded. It is the student's interest we want to safeguard here, and not having exams is simply UNACCEPTABLE - regardless of who is to blame.
This protest isn't about partisan politcs or student representation, this is about the students wanting the normal functioning of University. Thus as things stand today, we want to safeguard both the short term interests of the students (in that they will be doing their exams), but also safeguard the level of higher education being delivered at this institution.
If exams are not issues we would all have a pass I guess. Obviously we can't sit in June (because there would be the second semester exams). We can't sit in summer because there would be the resit examinations.
If people paid attention, they would note that KSU +all supporting organisations did not take a stand against a single party in this deadlock, but spoke up for the students who are caught in the crossfire and are now speaking up for their right to an education.
An online poll, we believe, will do just that, provide a quantitative voice for all students.
So please, before you comment, get all your facts straight.
@rene joseph
The PN has its youth wing namely MZPN which is basically that part of the PN which includes the youths which appartain to the PN. The equivalent of MZPN on the Labour side would be FZL and ADZ would be the equivalent on the AD side. SDM is not a part of the PN; SDM is not mentioned in any part of the PN branches list and the PN is not mentioned in any way in the SDM statute and hence there is no statutorial link between the PN and SDM. It is thus incorrect to state that SDM is the PN nursery.
As for the relation between KSU and SDM; last year's KSU was elected in the AGM by the approval of those in attendance. The candidates elected were those presented by SDM however the current KSU members are in no way shape or form current members of any SDM executive and/or sub committee and have no obligation to have the same policy as SDM. KSU operates as an independent executive and there is no abnormal link between the KSU executive and the SDM executive.
The protest IS against lecturers (as it should be) . How dare they meddle about with our Education TWO weeks before our exams! And what happens if our exams are NOT ISSUED?!
It is shameful, that in not one instance has KSU come forward saying that the proposals put forward by the unions were justified or were in the right.
this is why, a student union should be made of an independent body and not of the parties' nurseries.
Anyone with eyes in his heads, knows that the University of Malta needs to be improved.
The proposals set by umasa and mut was to guarantee a better status to the lecturer so as get better results; after all - if you claim for a centre of excellence by 2015, then I guess you need to fork money to make it happen.
it is precisely to to prevent J. Boswell quote: '..I remember one particular lecturer who missed 3/4 of lectures so as to support his private...'
because a university deserves full-time lecturers, which can dedicate themselves to research (this is what lecturers are meant to do after all) and to impart the result of their research to the students.
We can't have universities, formed by part-timers any longer.
It is of course obvious that a lecturer gets pays 3x as much in a foreign university and is better respected than in here.
cont.
As far as I am concerned, KSU always rejected the idea of an online petition.
KSU's comments about an online petition organised by another entity were that Name, surname, id, email and mobile number were not enough to make the Petition acceptable.
Guess What? KSU are asking for the same fields this time. http://www.portal.ksu.org.mt/component/option,com_philaform/Itemid,117/form_id,15/
I agree with J Farrugia. They want a lot of money, and they don't deserve it.
but this is malta and what's normal in most parts of the world is not here.
It is a shame that the lecturers are using the students as a bargaining tool.
Min ma jridx zieda fil-paga?!
Unfortunately some of the lecturers are giving only their side of the story to the students during lectures (when they should be teaching not speaking about their personal issues!)
All of us who have been to University know loads of lecturers who DO NOT deserve a zieda fil-paga; they rehash notes; they come late for lectures of never turn up etc etc !
WHat a pity that some of you bloggers are turning this issue into a partisan one!
God forbids that government backtracks when someone asks it for a hefty increase in pay just like the lecturers are doing!
KSU is rightly protesting against the lecturers attitiude because it is UNFAIR that they are using the students as a bargaining!
U fejn tridhom jipprotestaw jekk mhux l-Universita', il-kwestjoni hemm qeghdha u allura l-protesta hemm issir!!
Put partisan politics aside on this one...students are being treated badly and we should support them
Imagine the Police go on strike because they want a pay rise and they stop working just kike the lecturers are doing!
This is NOT a protest against the lecturers. It is only a protest against the standstill in the negotiations. KSU and the other student organisations, including both PULSE and SDM have agreed that we should not get into the question as to who is right or wrong, who deserves a pay-rise or otherwise. It is a protest against OUR right to sit for exams and to get on with our academic year.
Kindly also note, besides what Matthew Borg has said, that it is not true that KSU is 'not backing' its lecturers. It is merely trying to smoothen things, so as for negotiations to resume and end successfully as soon as possible.
As to SDM in KSU: that was a democratic procedure. Nomination for KSU was open for all, SDM was the only organisation to put a nomination last year so it was elected without the need of students to go to the polls.
As to the extent of the politicised campus politics this is not the best case for such argument since the student body is united against these unjust procedures. Everyone wants this issue resolved. KSU has the support of student organisations and KSU and student organisations are working closely together. I don’t know exactly all the student bodies present today for the press conference however the statement published on the 19th December was endorsed by AEGEE-Valletta, AIESEC, ASCS, Beta Psi, CommA, ELSA, JEF-Malta, GhSL, GhST, IAESTE, Insite, ICTSA, KSJC, MKSU, MMSA, MUSC, Pulse, S-Cubed, SDM and SIFE. Is this have to do with politicised student organisations? I think this is a pure case of common student interest!
I'm not saying that the government is angelic in this dispute, but please do not let the Super One or NET bandwagon brainwash you like they do to half of Malta.
ghandu jkun jaf li l-Pulse dejjem hadmet ghal interess tal-istudent u dan sabiex l-istudent wara li jispicca l-istudji tieghu jkun jista' jibda l-hajja tieghu barra mil-bankijiet tal-iskola. Dan jikkonfermawh ukoll ir-rizultati li kisbet il-PULSE fl-elezzjoni tal-KSJC fejn rebhet ghat-tieni sena konsekuttiva. Fir-rigward tal-posizzjoni li kienet tiehu l-PULSEkieku kien hemm l-PL fil-gvern kienet tissalvagwardja l-interess tal-istudenti l-ewwel u qabel kollox.
Huwa vera hasra kif ghad hawn minn jahseb li ghal Pulse l-affarijiet jigu politicizzati kull kwistjoni li tinqala.
oh btw for everyone's info, i'm a fourth year public policy student for those who would like to check :)
SDM is not the PN's "nursery", the MZPN is. It has never been expressly mentioned anywhere that SDM forms part of the PN, unlike Pulse, who have openly claimed to be part of the PL in the past.
P. Debono is right, on the other hand, to state that no other lecturers use students as their pawns. This is the reason why KSU and students as a whole have taken a stance against such lecturers - UMASA (and their President Victor Buttigieg) and the MUT (and their President John Bencini) think that by using the students as pawns in their game, they're going to get somewhere. I think they're too blind to realise that students do not form part of their trade unions and hence cannot stand the tactics that they're using, hence leading to students actually being against the lecturers in these circumstances.
The right to strike and to demand a better wage is not being debated here, but had the unions tackled it in a different way, then the students would have probably been supporting the lecturers on this one. As it stands, they don't have a chance of getting that.
I totally agree with you. The KSU has to be formed by an independent body and not by the parties' nurseries.
It is a question of credibility.
Especially when you get such comments 'SDM ... it fully supported KSU.' - since, they are the same thing.
I think here, the students and the lecturers should have worked together, even protested together to get the raise in pay and the other work benefits, which they were justified. Instead, the students have been turned against the teaching body.
Unfortunately the more the times is passing the more the pn government shows how arrogant is and does not think of anything but power.
Apart from KSU being the earpiece of the PN, the only opposition that they ahve is PULSE, which is its MLP counterpart, which is shameful because EVERYTHING in Malta has to be politicised. Notice how there is not one word uttered from KSU criticising the government. And the sad thing is that the same would happen if the MLP were in charge and PULSE were in control of the University.
Also I don't know of one European country where lecturers use these intimidation tactics and force students through the torture of studying without even knowing whether they will be having exams....
I really can't wait to get out of the hellhole that is the University of Malta.