David Schembri
Church school denies naming students who don’t pay donation
Labour spokesman for Education Evarist Bartolo is sticking to his claim that students whose families do not pay the school donation are named during assembly at St Augustine College, despite a flat denial by the school.
In a discussion over the ongoing educational reform on the programme Affari Tagħna, Mr Bartolo challenged Sandro Spiteri, the director of quality assurance in the Education Division, to check whether “there is a school where students who do not give their contribution are mentioned in the morning assembly”.
When the official replied that if that were the case, he would like to be informed, Mr Bartolo said “You should check St Augustine’s”.
Augustinian provincial Fr Manwel Borg Bonello issued a statement yesterday calling the claim a “very serious and false accusation”.
“I inquired about it with the rector himself and members of the college staff. Both categorically rejected such accusation,” Fr Borg Bonello said.
Contacted by The Times, Mr Bartolo said he was sticking to what he said and would be meeting the school’s rector today to discuss the reports which he had received from families “who felt pressured to give money continually to the school”.
“I have no reason to doubt the information I have been given. I will keep information about the parents confidential but unfortunately these things are not made public because those who suffer them, for various reasons, are afraid of saying them in public, even because they fear their children may be impacted negatively,” Mr Bartolo said.
While he did not wish to put all Church schools in one basket, he said he felt there were a number of them that went too far in badgering parents for money, be it through contributions or fundraising activities.
Church schools, being subsidised by the government, do not charge a fee to students but many schools suggest a donation to help in the school’s running. While some leave it up to parents to give, others set a specific amount and remind parents to donate every term.
This year, the government allocated €43.2 million to Church schools.
15 Comments
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Manwel Borg Bonello OSA
Mar 31st 2011, 15:39
I confirm that the accusation by Hon. Evarist Bartolo is serious and FALSE. The Rector, Fr Alan, invited two officials from the Education Department to verify. The investigation took place Wednesday, 30th March 2011. The result confirmed our version of the facts.
Andy Farrugia
Apr 5th 2011, 19:14
If what Manwel Borg Bonello OSA is stating is correct, then the Hon E Bartolo should recant and apologise asap. Or does he believe that he is entitled to chuck mud, right left and centre, to tarnish the reputations of institutions and people? On the other hand, should the Hon E Bartolo prove his serious allegations i will be the first to apologise to him. As for other allegations by assorted others, all i can say is that talk is cheap: prove it, provide evidence. Otherwise you are only interested in wallowing in mud.
G. Tonna
Mar 30th 2011, 19:58
I can't believe that some people would want kids to be named and shamed in front of all the school. What's even worse is that these people wouldn't care less if the kids' parents would be wrongly accused. Disgusting....shame on you!!!!!!!!
M Cassar
Mar 30th 2011, 16:15
I attended a church school 16 years ago, and they used to name and shame students who's parents hadn't paid the 'donation'. I got named and shamed twice in error. Both times my parents had to give me a copy of the receipt to show to the brothers, to prove we had already paid.
c.camilleri
Mar 30th 2011, 16:05
Well if these parents are not happy with the situation in Church's schools they are free to send there children to Government's Schools. There they will have nobody who bother them about any donations.
acassar
Mar 30th 2011, 17:43
Its not a matter of not being happy...anzi I m more than happy with my son`s school but something like this the administration should exercise discretion..after all when they need something they always send me an email so why not in this case ?
s.attard
Mar 30th 2011, 15:03
Naqbel maghha din jien. Jien kont immur go skola tal-knisja u kienu ghamlu id-donazzjoni ta' bilfors u jekk ma thallasx jibghatulek ittra biex thallas u bl-ammont kemm trid thallas e! veru gharukaza ghax donazzjoni ghandha isimha maghha, taghti kemm trid u meta tkun tista'!!
Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 30th 2011, 12:47
Sur Cassar,
Fejn qeghda 'l vera mhabba tal-Knisja lejn il-membri taghha jew il-poplu tajjeb biss biex jaghti 'l flus ghal Knisja?
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
victor caruana
Mar 30th 2011, 11:26
Ma tantx nemminha din ghax il-knisja qed taghmel glieda qaddisa kontra d-divorzju u zgur ma jimpurtahix mil-flus.
Il-knisja qatt ma harset lejn il-flus....izda uzathom biss ghal opri ta' qdusija kbira bhal vari, qniepen u kunventi faccata tal-bahar.
Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 30th 2011, 12:13
Sur Caruana,
Kollha fuq il-passi ta' Kristu jimxu ezatt. Halluna. Ejja ma' nkunux ipokriti.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
acassar
Mar 30th 2011, 17:35
Int bis-serjeta qed tghid hekk sur Caruana ???
acassar
Mar 30th 2011, 10:24
Yes I can confirm what Mr Bartolo is saying because it happened to my son due to late payment from my side..& just to let you know this did not happen in St Augustine college but in another which I` will not mention.
James De Giorgio
Mar 30th 2011, 11:21
how very convinient - another school which i'll not mention and "acassar".... yes very credible
acassar
Mar 30th 2011, 17:39
Mr Degiorgio I have no intentions to invent anything but I can assure you it did happen & I don`t want to mention the name because I want to protect my son...if you know what I mean.Now if you think I m not credible thats your problem !!
Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 30th 2011, 10:04
Genituri, il-verita twegga f'dan il-pajjiz nisrani.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council