MUT demands apology

The Malta Union of Teachers has demanded an apology from the Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Educational Services after its officials were stopped from entering a Mosta kindergarten and could only speak to staff across the iron bars of an outside fence during the school break.

The Ministry of Education earlier today suggested that the matter could be discussed at a meeting on Friday. It insisted that there had never been any intention to keep the union officials from entering schools. However, there should be a clear policy which did not interrupt school work.

The MUT, however, said it was still awaiting an apology and it would only continue its good relations with the Ministry and the Directorate of Educational Services when its officials were allowed to visit Mosta kindergarten annexe and any other school they deemed necessary.

The issue cropped up when Union president John Bencini and other union officials were refused entry to an annexe in the kindergarten of Mosta Primary School A. They said they had gone there to investigate reports of overcrowding.

The union said its earlier request for a joint inspection with Education Department officials was turned down.

The union said that as a consequence of what had happened in Mosta, it had cancelled planned visits to four Resource Centers (Special Schools).

See also

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091021/local/mut-accuses-minister-of-confrontational-attitude-stops-talks