Update 2: MUT accuses minister of 'confrontational attitude' - stops talks
MUT President John Bencini (file picture).
(Adds Ministry's and PL's statement)
The Malta Union of Teachers has severed talks with the Ministry of Education and the Education Directorates after its top officials were stopped from visiting a kindergarten this morning.
The teachers' union said that its president and senior vice-president had gone to the kindergarten centre at Mosta Primary A to investigate long-standing reports of overcrowding, but in scenes reminiscent of the situation 22 years ago, they were denied entry, the union said.
The union said it had been complaining about the situation at that kindergarten for months and also raised the matter directly with the minister. Several members of the union had complained that the rooms were so small and overcrowded, that children's health and safety was at risk.
The ministry had always rejected the allegations, but union requests for a joint visit with department officials had never materialised, the union sad.
When its own officials went to the kindergarten this morning, they were informed by the Director-General of Educational Services and the minister herself that the visit could not take place.
The minister told MUT president John Bencini that she had no policy for union officials to tour places of work in this manner.
The MUT said it strongly condemned this confrontational attitude by the minister and said this was a blow to all efforts to improve dialogue between the authorities and the union.
This reaction, it said, was typical of someone who had something to hide.
It challenged the minister to immediately publish the plans of the kindergarten centre and the number of children per room.
It said it was stopping all talks with the ministry and the Education Directorates until it was satisfied that its officials could freely perform their duties.
PL STATEMENT
The Labour Party condemned the Education Ministry's "arrogance" with the Malta Union of Teachers which would lead to confrontation in the education sector, at a time when everyone should be working together for the benefit of students.
Education spokesman Evarist Bartolo said that the ministry's decision not to allow MUT officials to visit the Mosta kindergarten about which there were complaints did not make sense.
It was not wise to embark on an unnecessary and capricious confrontation with the teachers' union as this would make it difficult for the necessary educational changes which required the teachers' cooperation and participation to be implemented.
The ministry's imposition and arrogant attitude was very damaging and unless this was replaced into one of collaboration it would lead to more problems in education.
MINISTRY'S STATEMENT
In a statement this evening, Education Minister Dolores Cristina denied she had been confrontational or arrogant towards the MUT or its officials.
She said that she received a telephone call from the president of the MUT while she was at a meeting at the MCAST in Naxxar.
The MUT president informed her that he and other union officials had been stopped from entering the Mosta school to inspect kindergarten classes about which they had received complaints. The minister asked if it was union practice to visit schools without informing the educational authorities and during lessons.
The minister suggested that the union and her ministry discuss the matter during a meeting being held on Friday in the afternoon. She said there had never been any intention to keep the union from entering schools. However, there should be a clear policy which respected schools and which did not interrupt school work.
The MUT knew, the minister said, that she had always been willing to discuss any matter and had always been committed to address issues that cropped up.
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Franco Farrugia
Oct 21st 2009, 20:27
I know it's impossible t even dream of trying to reason with people like you. But you know, it doesn't make sense to continue harping about the past. Like that, you are saying that the PN can do absolutely anything and we'll forgive them for it. Well, as far as I am concerned no way.
Galea. L
Oct 21st 2009, 19:44
Alex Mangion
You seem to be very well off Mangion not to want to better your position. You sound like an employer not a workers.
J Farrugia
Simply referring to the past means that you have no argument to rebut what is being said.
If the Minister has nothing to hide why did she prevent the MUT from visiting?
Dennis Zammit
Oct 21st 2009, 19:35
Well done Minister.
The MUT's President thinks that he and the other union officials can go around without permission. This is an attitude that no one should be allowed to have in Malta.
Since the schools are Govt. owned, operated and all expenses paid, then no one should be allowed to enter the premises as if it was a club.
c vella
Oct 21st 2009, 18:43
Quote from d minister;"The minister asked if it was union practise to visit schools without informing the educational authorities and during lessons".
so if there are problems of crowded classes the MUT should go during breaktime?or advise beforehand so they will fix everything before???????
Christian Sciberras
Oct 21st 2009, 17:17
@Jimi Xerri - Your house? A more likely analogy would be your facade, since that's not owned by you. Same as schools. No one in any school owns it (unless it's a private school).
@Alex Mangion - Agreed.
@John Micallef - I'd like to add to your list; "useless workaround in school leaving certificates", "incorrectly teaching of phonetics" and "incompetent workers/teachers".
Franco Farrugia
Oct 21st 2009, 16:49
At Jimi Xerri: Schools are not private homes. Schools are schools! And such a visit takes place to render a better service to children.
P.Cassar
Oct 21st 2009, 16:30
@ all Pn apologists
Class numbers are agreed upon after studies which show the best that can come out of a teacher-student relationship regarding teaching and learning. THEREFORE A LARGER number IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE PUPILS THEMSELVES. Parents please take note as well.
Had there been the agreed number of pupils I'm sure that the Minister would have agreed and full of smiles ASKED FOR CAMERAS TO COME ALONG.
C Mifsud
Oct 21st 2009, 16:22
Jimi
Schools are not yours, mine, MUT's or the ministers house. Thy belong to the children and they are there for the children. If there are irregularities and these need to be checked then MUT or any regulator should be given free access at all times! It just shows what politics this government is pushing forward - tal-habi!!!!! I cant believe that anyone can defend these actions when these checks are being done in the interest of kids! What kind of checks would they be if the headmaster/mistress is informed in advance of such inspection!
J Farrugia
Oct 21st 2009, 16:21
Look who's talking! The labour party. It has conveniently forgotten the past when the teachers were made the scapegoats of a rotten labour education policy. when the Minsiter of Education urged the students to report their teachers, when the teachers were locked out. When the teachers were transferred to and from, and when ambulances were sent to teachers homes to pick them up when they were sick so that the hospital would check them. where arrogance and physical violence were used against the teachers by labour criminals.. And what is the MUT moaning about today? Is it because some criminals went to hit the teaching staff??? NO!!! Because the education Ministry did not want the union officials to interrupt the school children during their school time. My My My. This muddled MUT committee never learns its lessons.
Ernest Vella
Oct 21st 2009, 16:11
while condemning such thing against a union I amazed how the PL forgets what happened under there jurisdiction...but better stop here...no need for apology - lol
Michael Mercieca
Oct 21st 2009, 15:29
To all those who think that teaching is a walk in the park, rest assured that it isn't. For all I can gather about this morning's incident, it looks like MUT were not only worrying about the teachers' concerns but also about the health and safety of the students...
c. camilleri
Oct 21st 2009, 15:19
Having had a well earned rest now they continue where they left.
John Micallef
Oct 21st 2009, 14:31
Be ashame of yourself Minister Dolores Christina!!!! Is this the free democratic country we are suppose to live in & we say to our children it is.
I think you have much more serious issues to tackle, than stopping MUT from entering a school. One of these things is the mistakes in the Maltese Primary Maltese Grammar books, that you just printed! & the bullying problems that were on this epaper yesterday.
Alex Mangion
Oct 21st 2009, 14:30
Can I make a suggestion:
Can the government privatise school services. By this I mean the educational services. These should include teaching services, security services and cleaning services.
The role of the government should be to administer the school and issue tenders for such services. Government schools should remain free at no cost. But in this way, costs are fixed and we get away with all these bullying tactics.
In a world where everyone is doing his best to keep his/her workplace, these guys are out there grumbling that they want a better deal. Its not time to bargain..its time to work.
If teachers are always complaining (or their union), why not change work?
jimi Xerri
Oct 21st 2009, 14:29
I wonder what my reaction would be, if somebody tried to come into my house without my permission?!!
What would yours have been?
G, Camilleri
Oct 21st 2009, 13:41
When are we going to have an end to this arrogance.? PROSit as usual MUT