Juan Ameen
MUT plans to make disputed school visit
The teachers’ union is refusing to meet the Education Ministry for conciliation talks until it is certain it will not be stopped from visiting a school in Mosta.
It has also told the school that its officials will be back on Monday and will not budge until allowed in.
The clash arose on Wednesday when the Malta Union of Teachers said it was prevented from entering Mosta Primary School A to investigate allegations of overcrowding in the kindergarten classes.
Education Minister Dolores Cristina rebutted the union’s claims, saying there never was any intention to stop them from entering, as long as such visits were carried out in agreement with the education authorities and in a way which was not detrimental to lessons. But Mr Bencini said a serious precedent had been set with Wednesday’s incident. “I have visited hundreds of schools since 1996 and was never stopped. I have never heard of any union being stopped visiting places of work.”
The union decided to drop in on the school after receiving various complaints from its members of overcrowding in the kindergarten. Mr Bencini suspected that the size of the rooms did not fall in line with the School Regulations Act.
“Until the union is certain it will have access to the school, it will not attend any meetings with the ministry,” he said.
A ministry spokesman said no official complaints had ever been made about overcrowding in the kindergarten classrooms.
Besides, these classrooms fell in line with the law, with 255 kindergarten students split into 13 classrooms — an average of 20 children in each classroom.
The maximum number of kindergarten students in one classroom reached 28, made up of two groups. The school was not exceeding the legal limit, which allowed a maximum of 30 children per classroom, the spokesman said.
But Mr Bencini was adamant that the union would visit the kindergarten and informed the school headmaster that they would be there on Monday at 10 a.m.
“And this time, we will not budge from there – they will have to get the police to move us,” he said.
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Franco Farrugia
Oct 23rd 2009, 18:47
@ Manuel Mifsud- It's two well-known people we are talking about, here, not just any Tom, Dick and Harry. Would it make sense if the visit is pre-announced? It certainly looks as if there is a serious problem - otherwise, at least I hope, the MUT delegates would not be behaving in this manner.
Joseph Camilleri
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:53
The MUT is acting as a responsible trade union. It is interested not only in the salary and conditions of work of its members but also in the well-being of the whole education sector. In this case, the visit of the MUT members is intended to check and, if need be, to safeguard the interests of the children. Mr Bencini is an experienced teacher and he would not in any way have disrupted the lessons. If everything is in order at this school, there is no reason for the Ministry to adopt this confrontational attitude. In fact the Ministry should extend an open invitation to the MUT to visit any school it wants at any time. The MUT's feedback after such visits will go a long way to bring all the stakeholders in the education sector together in the interest of our children.
Manuel Mifsud
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:52
This is unbelievable! Did I understand well? Does someone really agree with what MUT is saying? Just imagine what would happen if someone goes inside a school unhindered, simply by stating that he is an MUT rep, and attacks a teacher. Would MUT be happy if this were to happen? Can someone from MUT explain please why they believe they have the right to enter a school without an appointment or a permit? They definitely have the right to ask for an appointment and get it.
P.Cassar
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:46
It always amazes me how people without one iota of knowledge about teaching and learning instantly become experts when a dispute arises which involves teachers.
Has it ever passed their minds that what the MUT is doing is in the pupils' best interests because it involves the educational environment?
Please place politics aside and if you are not deeply knowledgeable about the subject involve yourself by reading what is really happening but don't try to preach.
c. camilleri
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:20
Is the MUT taking the place of the GWU and pretend to do what she wants? We tasted such arrogance in the past. Who is Governing this island? Who did the people elect to Govt this island? If the MUTwants to visit the school she should at least inform the Ministry who is responsible for the running of the school and shun away this arrogance which is growing in Joe's head. I think that this is a matter of what belongs to Management and what belongs to the union. Management should be jealous of its right and stand firm as matter of principle.
Imagine unions' officials just walking into a private factory to talk to the workers without the management consent.
N.Calleja
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:07
Although he is representing the teachers' union, Mr Bencini should know the basic principles of politeness. He should have asked the Ministry to be allowed entry accompanied by a high official from the Department. But as I said some time before, Mr. Bencini is trying to imitate militant Tony Zarb or worst still Geitu Mercieca.
L. Hili
Oct 23rd 2009, 12:36
As a parent having a kid at the Mosta school I thank MUT for following up the case of over crowding.
As an example a room that was in the past used for special activites such as cooking and other activities not carried out in the classrooms today this was transformed into another class.
I also suggest parents should be present on Monday and support MUT.
May I also request people posting without knowing anything about the Mosta school to educate themselves on the situation before commenting?
Angela Agius
Oct 23rd 2009, 12:24
A Vella should know that nobody, not even the education authorities are saying that unions cannot carry out their work and check out things when they receive complaints from their members. The question is only who to do these things. Things should be done in a proper manner, without causing disruptions and in observance of good practice and rules.
I. Cilia
Oct 23rd 2009, 11:45
@ A.Vella
sorry I do not agree..
schools are for our children to go and learn and not see union officials with their own agenda, which is what they are there to do after all because they have to look as if they are doing something for their membership base... one sided agenda's do more harm than good...
plus another thing... with such a militant approach, do you think i want my children to see such stupid acts and threats like" the police will have to remove us"
come on MUT... grow up... and do things the proper way.... you might have all the reasons to do so and I agree with what you are doing but doing this is certainly not the way to do it...
do it around a table and not with militant threats.... reminds me of Malta in the 70's...
A Vella
Oct 23rd 2009, 10:46
@ Angela Agius and Susan Farrugia: What was so 'uncivilised' to go and see what is wrong with said classes? Maybe you forget that facts must be seen and not written notes about them? The MUT is trying to make things better, but then come you two to critisize things! Are we in a state where now a union cannot see facts to make things better?!
Susan Farrugia
Oct 23rd 2009, 10:13
We are talking here about a Kindergarten, our children's first step in an unknown world to them,it takes more then the first few days for them to get used to the unfamiliar faces around them, are we to subject them to intrusions from strangers in a world which they are trying to make their own. Authority inspections if necessary should be carried out in their absence, I am sure there are other ways to find out the number of children in each class.
Angela Agius
Oct 23rd 2009, 09:26
Why should a union with a long history like MUT, decide to "drop in a school"? Can't we in a civilised country do things in a proper way. A registered trade union has rights and obbligations according to law. It is normal practice that when a union get complaints from its members, it seeks clarifications from the authorities. Did MUT follow this path? Should a union "drop in a school" or make arrangements to visit? Should a union be allowed to "drop in a school" while lessons are going on and disrupt classes and even the work of its members? Mr. Bencini and his people should know better! In a civilised country everybody should act in a civilised way.