MUT gives government deadline

The Malta Union of Teachers has given the government until Friday to address a number of shortcomings at state schools if it is to avoid a dispute.

“Unknown policies” adopted by the government were undermining efforts and putting off potential teachers from pursuing further training and professional development, the MUT said in a statement.

This was happening, the union said, notwithstanding the great efforts undertaken by the MUT, the Education Ministry and its directorates to provide training courses and incentives for the various professional teaching grades.

The MUT cited as an example kindergarten assistants who had undertaken a two-year course to obtain a certificate and yet were not being admitted into the grade of Kindergarten Assistant 2.

Likewise, learning support assistants who completed a 30-week evening course were still awaiting a call for applications for a fixed job.