No headmasters in 15 state schools

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Oct 31st 2009, 17:05

Readers and Times reporters should also note that - since the beginning of this schoolastic year - the Headmaster of Rabat Primary School B has been asked to take over the duties of Headmaster at Rabat Primary School A as well and in fact his office has been transferred to this latter school. We parents feel that this situation is not ideal and there ought to be a Headmaster or Headmistress at both Schools as was the normal practice up till June 2009.

Mark Cassar

Oct 29th 2009, 04:17

The question to ask is why there are no vacancies for Assistant Heads, but so many for Heads? Could it be that there are few who will take the final responsibility of a Head? Who do the parents speak to if they want to speak to the non-existent Head? They must speak to someone or perhaps they do not? How are problems tackled and solved or perhaps they are not? Issues are just left to fester and grow, unanswered, as the buck stops at the non-existent Head, and that is what puts people off applying. The salary of a Head is not as low as some are suggesting. If I was the Minister I would appoint 15 Acting Heads immediately - if these are not already appointed - from the pool of Assistant Heads already in the schools, but giving them appropriate reimbursement, and adequate security if that is a major concern; or at least a Visiting Head who has two or three schools in their jurisdiction is better than no one. For sure leaving schools without a focal point for all: teachers, parents and children alike is of grave concern and should be tackled sooner rather than later.

C. Schembri

Oct 28th 2009, 21:43

I'm really feeling a sense of nostalgia for ex-Minister Louis Galea!

Come on Dolores, get some work done!

michael fenech

Oct 28th 2009, 21:20

What I like to tell PM GonziPN is, if you didn’t know about this before the parliamentary question , you should be asking the Minister to hand in her resignation, if you did know Sir you should be handing your as well. Some one must take full responsibility and pay the price, at least that’s how it’s done in the democratic world.
To have one head of school missing is unacceptable, to have 15 schools without heads is a scandal.

N Scerri

Oct 28th 2009, 19:21

It makes you wonder if the reason for this shortage is that no one wants to be a head, given the conditions under which they work.

C. Catania

Oct 28th 2009, 19:20

Guess why there are so many missing Head Masters?

Head Masters have a huge responsibility and they are paid peanuts.

They have to deal with all kind of parents and receive no protection.

They have to deal with kids having severe mental problems, others with a criminal record.

So if you think that the call for applications will solve this problem you can continue to dream.

Past call for applications failed to solve this problem. Future calls will make no difference as long as the root causes are not dealt with.

Theresa Demanuele

Oct 28th 2009, 19:14

May I please suggest that the title be changed to read - Heads of School instead of Headmaster since women are eligible and capable for such posts as well.

John Smith

Oct 28th 2009, 18:51

The funny thing is that schools do need more assistant heads.....but of corse there won't be a call for application. Money is only being spent on buildings...not on the actual problems like personel and proper apparatus.

P.Cassar

Oct 28th 2009, 18:16

Dear Minister we only came to know about this bec of a parliamentary question. Otherwise you are always smiling when visiting schools or saying what great progress is being achieved!!!!

Maria Zammit

Oct 28th 2009, 18:08

If schools are running well without headmasters does the Minister intend to do away with headmasters in all the schools and thus spare the taxpayer the salaries?

Or is this simply an oversight in planning? Tell me another... I never heard such gross incompetence... I might believe having a clerk missing but a Head of School is shameful! I guess there is no shame these days!

Joseph Calleja

Oct 28th 2009, 18:08

This sounds like a third world country. Isn't it customary to fill a spot asap, soon as there is a vacancy? Hellooooo Education Minister Dolores Cristina, these teachers and students need someone in charge, your authority is needed here. Have jobs will travel!

Adrian Wirth

Oct 28th 2009, 17:36

How long is a piece of string Minister?
Call for applications when, this year, next year, sometime, never?
The three to six months maybe more.
Interviewing and assessment another few months.
Candidates character investigation and appraisal, more months.
Budget approval - before or after the coming election.
Then the decision will be someone elses and the process restarted all over again.

Why not admit there's no budget - it's spent - just like The Police, ADT, Medical Services, etc etc etc - that at least the voter will believe.

Frans H Said

Oct 28th 2009, 17:19

How many remember the period before 1971 when the general expression was "do not make any noise or you might wake up the government". Probably now not even the festa bangs are enough to wake up certain elements so that they would plan ahead not after the horse would have bolted.

Joanne Micallef

Oct 28th 2009, 16:53

A call for applications is to be issued shortly.

What exactly are they waiting for?????? A good head is what makes or breaks a school, so not having a head of school in not one but 15 state schools quite frankly is acceptable.