Stalemate over teachers’ maternity leave
The government and the Malta Union of Teachers remain locked in discussions over “compensation” for teachers who give birth during their summer holidays.
Recent proposals by the authorities to solve the impasse, originally flagged by the European Commission more than two years ago, have been deemed “unacceptable” by the union.
The issue, first brought to the attention of the EU Executive in 2010 by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, involves the right of teachers to receive their full maternity leave besides their regular summer holidays when they give birth during the annual scholastic recess in the summer.
The Education Department applies a pre-EU-accession policy where teachers whose maternity leave falls during the “normal” summer holidays do not recoup any of their “lost” vacation leave.
This is illegal, according to EU jurisprudence that maternity and vacation leave should be treated separately and that teachers who use their maternity leave during the summer recess should not lose their normal entitlement.
Answering a series of parliamentary questions, European Justice Commissioner Vivian Reding told Dr Busuttil that the Commission was closely following the issue and some form of progress had already been made.
“The Commission understands from the Maltese authorities that there have been discussions with the MUT on the issue. “The Maltese government has made proposals to amend the public service management code with a view to ensuring that teachers whose maternity leave coincides with statutory holiday periods are to be fully compensated.”
However, it seems the issue is still far from being resolved. MUT president Kevin Bonello feels the proposals presented by the government are unacceptable.
“The government is just trying to amend the law so that technically Malta will be in line with EU rules without giving compensation to teachers. We have made it clear this will not work and we will not be accomplices in what the authorities are trying to do.”
While he conceded that the issue might complicate the life of the scholastic system from the administrative point of view, Mr Bonello said the MUT was being very reasonable in the negotiations with the government. “As this has been established as a right according to EU law, teachers are entitled to some form of compensation.”
“We may not agree yet on the level of compensation, but this has to be part of the equation to solve the issue. No compensation at all is highly unacceptable,” he said.
The government did not wish to comment. “We are still trying to reach a solution,” a spokesman said curtly.
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O Ghigo
Jul 17th 2012, 09:51
For all those complaining about how easy teachers have it. You can complain because of teachers who taught you how to read and write.
According to you of course she or he was grossly overpaid for this!
Raymond Cutajar
Jul 17th 2012, 09:44
I am almost 60 -attended mainly state schools up to sec level . I Tthank all my ex teachers for the immense dedication -thank you and may God keep yours spirits focused towards students well being
thanks once more .
P. Scicluna
Jul 17th 2012, 10:03
and you are welcome :)
P. Scicluna
Jul 17th 2012, 09:44
Please go back to work and stop commenting here! You are being paid to work and not waste time on internet. Meanwhile, I'll go to the beach and enjoy my holidays.
L Farrugia
Jul 17th 2012, 08:32
Can the Maltese Government and The Teacher's union ALSO discuss how to avoide disrupting a class - to avoide minimum distress to the students - our childredn - when a teacher leaves during the schoolastic year for her maternity leave. And on many occasions with sick leave prior to that. One can not deny the confusion students feel and experience when this happens. If a principle is aware that a particular teacher will probably leave DURING a scholastic year why can't they entrust other work to her until her departure and NOT give her a class room. On occasions substitutes are not given any hand over, or at times teachers may be replaced long after the class teacher leaves. How can the students NOT be disrupted when all this is going on? Thus, can something be done with THE STUDENTS in mind?
Daniela Caruana Grima
Jul 17th 2012, 01:04
ah the pure pleasure of reading such jealousy in between the lines of hateful anti teacher comments....do keep them coming....they only enhance the pleasure of currently enjoying our well deserved break....whether you like it or not....whether you agree or not....
Ryan Portelli
Jul 17th 2012, 00:15
Teachers should work in summer... ok. So they would be entitled to the normal pack of leave ey? great... would take mine on other days rather than summer... and work all summer for prep work and other stuff... I'd love to imagine May with teachers on leave and exams upcoming... (just to be treated like other 'workers').
Apart... Clerical work... yeah right... I'm qualified, like, less or even more than some of the people here are. Would imagine other professions given work that is not theirs.... All hell would break lose! So please before opening your mouth, try to think... do not open in just to let in air and prevent mould please... look at the logistics of the job whatsoever and you'll see that some of the issues mentioned cannot be worked.
Seems that when speaking about education, suddenly we are ALL experts!
sometimes... Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt
D Borg
Jul 17th 2012, 08:15
Well said Ryan!
Pule' Carmel
Jul 16th 2012, 23:49
There are 365 days in a year.
There are 52 weeks and with Saturday and Sunday off well those are 104 days free.
There are about 15 days festas through the year so that is another 15 days approximately
Normally people have 20 days holidays a year so that is another 20 days free.
I shall not mention sick leave and pregnancy leave and compassionate leave and others.
So in general the average worker has 139 days off in one year and works 226 days.
With nurses, and related social workers, there are so many who leave clinics so early and sign with pencils rather than with pens, but I shall not include these self made concessions nor the method of applying and gaining time in lie!! I knew people in hospital who had made rosters which were UNBELIEVABLE I tell you!
I believe the hardest hit are the self employed, poor creatures, they are the hardest hit, they are certainly are the hardest hit. I shall say no more as there are so many issues to uncover with time keeping in some social areas.
Teachers cannot come late or leave early as many care related professions can do. I better stop here.
Those poor self employed and those who work in private concerns are the hardest hit.
Some time ago two of my students on an exchange scheme went to Scandinavia and being Maltese they turned up at 8.00am and were washed ready to go home at 4.00 p.m. as they used to do at the dockyard.
The boss saw all this and next morning he was waiting for them and told them, Look I pay you to work from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm , so please start WORKING AT 8.00 AM AND FINISH WORKING AT 4.00 PM. Not many Maltese workers are abiding by those rules I believe.
Whatever, I think in Malta situations are hard for some people but not as hard as some people abroad especially when it is freezing winter .
The other day I met an ex minister who told me that some men used to approach him to give then a night watchman's post so that he could sleep at night and take a part time job during the day. In Gozo, I heard some more stories too. I do pity the self employed in Malta.
C Apap
Jul 16th 2012, 23:29
All I can say is a big thank you to all the teachers who have taught me for many years. I wouldn't have a career without the help and support of the teachers who pass all their knowledge to their students!
Duncan Bartolo
Jul 16th 2012, 22:28
Teaching is a profession that needs to be respected especially by parents and students. Students are repeating what parents are saying in their own kitchens. People seem to think that us teachers just chat in our lessons and do nothing.
We do not only teach a subject but educate children, some students have no idea on how to communicate with other people, others are shattered by the problems that they face at home, some feel lonely and their only stable thing in their life is school. Students sometimes see us teachers and the only stable person in their life, as some parents believe that by buying a Gaming station for their child, its enough to keep him quite,playing games which are surely not adequate for them. Students are spending to much time in front of their own laptops in their rooms facebooking and posting pictures.
Where have the good old times where a child spends time with their guardians, doing their homework and studying gone. I guess that in a Society whereby money is everything, a child's education and upbringing is up to the TEACHER.
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 22:24
K Mizzi
Today, 19:35
1/3 of the normal working days and 6 hours instead of 8 + weekly meetings +weekly outings e bilhaqq u jekk tahbat holiday on a weekend dawn ghandhom dritt jehduha darb ohra ta' m'hux bhal haddiema l'ohrajn
Sur Mizzi Din minn fejn gibtha li t-teachers jistghu jiehdu l-vaganzi li jaqghu fil weekend f'gurnata ohra?! Din is sena se jitilfu gurnata mill mid term ghax gejja s-Sibt, Il kuncizzjoni 8 ta'Dicembru, San Pawl 10 ta'Frar, il 31 ta'Marzu u l-Imnarja 29 ta'Gunju dawn se jintilfu anke ghat- teachers. Minn qallek li t-teachers jehduhom dahaq bik. Il laqghat ghalik huma vaganza? Il hargiet edukattivi huma vaganza? Tidher kemm tifhem fix xoghol tat teachers.
Mr robert micallef
Jul 16th 2012, 22:07
do you think only teachers need to prepare ? doctors, nurses, pilots, engineers, business people like me all prepare their work at home. if they want to be good they have to prepare and study at home during the night or the weekend. just pointing it out to you because you do not seem to notice this. oh and by the way when we get home we have to help our children do their homework. i.e we have to start studying algebra again. :)
nothing against teachers but just making a point that not only teachers work at home as it seems they have this idea. p.s my leave so far this year 7 days.
Ivan Calleja
Jul 16th 2012, 22:01
Dear teachers do not give in to provocation by the same few super envious persons of the teaching profession writing here on the TOM blog. Let them write whatever they want......they all know the answer...if you want a cushy job just go to university get a teaching degree and enrol in teaching......it is so simple.....why do you keep ranting the same words of envy against teachers here on this blog?? Teachers dont waste your time answering them....your summer time is much more precious!!!
G Schembri
Jul 16th 2012, 21:38
"Teachers should work during summer, Easter and Christmas just like other workers do who pay the same Ni and the same taxes." (K Mizzi Today, 19:31) This is what basically many people are writing.
So I say yes why not let teachers work 40hrs a week and weekends off, and have 24 working days off (whenever they want even during or just before exams). They can take their breaks outside,or in the staffroom, and leave the students in the playground or in the classroom,(like clerks leave their computers.) They will not take part in School Development meetings, they do no preparation, or correcting at home. If parents are not there to pick their children after school, the teacher will just leave them there and leave. As soon as the bell rings, the teachers should switch off and stop thinking about school and any problem their pupils might have. Yes let us do that, I am sure many teachers will be better off, and by the way, forget about buying books and pictures or posters to enhance lessons and rewards, like stars and stickers to reward students for their efforts. After all which other worker take their work problems home with them or spend their wages on their work?
J. Pace
Jul 17th 2012, 02:52
I am no teacher, although I spent some years teaching, but I can say that those responsible teachers do have a lot of extra work to do - specifically after working hours. Of course there are others that DO NOT prepare well for the lessons and get paid the same salary (or more).
And you know what's worse for a teacher? After spending some hours preparing for the lesson, the students do not pay attention especially the grown ups.
Teachers paid well? Those teachers with technical skills required in the industry, the salary in the industry is twice as much and when you sum everything working in the industry is less stressful. Yes even if you have more holidays!
L Farrugia
Jul 16th 2012, 21:33
May the Government and Teachers Union, while discussing the issue relating to 'teachers' maternity leave' also discuss how unfair and unjust it is for the STUDENTS, our children, to suffer the consequences when teachers leave during a school term/year for maternity purposes. One can not deny how disruptive it is for these students to have a teacher for 2 to 3 months to then have a different one for the remaining year. Or to have NO teacher at all for a long period of time. Unfortunately, at times these teachers also take sick leave prior to their maternity leave (which is their right of course) again to have the students suffer the consequences. I am NOT saying teachers do not have a right for maternity leave, or any other leave for that matter - but please can someone start discussing these problems with the STUDENT in mind. No one can deny how disruptive it is for students to have such chaos during their scholastic year. Principles have to be more organised in such a way to ensure a proper hand over of a class room BEFORE a teacher leaves DURING a scholastic year for such a long period of time. A teacher may possibly be given other work and NOT a class room when the school knows that she will be leaving after a few months or weeks. Our children's well being should at least be mentioned in these discussions! Who knows maybe a general rule can be adapted for this NOT to continue happening in our schools.
J. Camilleri
Jul 16th 2012, 21:19
Halluhom ha jghiru ghalina it-teachers!! madoffi kemm huma mahruqin... xbajt nejdilhom... il-bieb tat-teaching miftuh ghal kulhadd... just go for it my friends!!
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 21:07
K Mizzi
Today, 19:33
2 month break????? bis serjeta' inti Agius?? tahdmu 1/3 tas sena, bir ragun li kullhadd irid jilhaq teacher
Tant kulhadd irid jilhaq teacher li l-iskejjel mimlijin bis supply teachers! Ghala ma tinghaqadx ma'l-eluf li jridu jilhqu teachers u tibda tgawdi mill beneficcji int ukoll?!
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 20:21
K Mizzi
Today, 19:35
1/3 of the normal working days and 6 hours instead of 8 + weekly meetings +weekly outings e bilhaqq u jekk tahbat holiday on a weekend dawn ghandhom dritt jehduha darb ohra ta' m'hux bhal haddiema l'ohrajn
Where did you get this stupid idea that teachers can have their holidays which fall on a weekend! Now I've heard it all!
In fact this year teachers are going to forfeit the 3rd of November from their mid term break because it falls on a Saturday. They will also forfeit like all other workers the 8th December a Saturday, 10th February Sunday, 31st March Sunday and 29th June Saturday. Teachers have no leave which they can avail themselves of whenever they like. They have special leave which consists of 27 and a half hours spread throughout the year and which is given at the discretion of the head. If you consider the outings as some kind of break I invite you to accompany a class but be very careful if one of the children scratches or hurts himself. The parents may not understand and you may end up nursing some injury.
cesco di luigi
Jul 16th 2012, 20:02
may i suggest that teachers start doing all that really difficult summer work that they claim..correcting papers, preparing for next year etc....inside the school and during normal school hours????
L Zahra
Jul 16th 2012, 20:14
That would be great kieku ... But it's impossible especially in the primary, where the students are with you ALL DAY LONG... And teacher is expected to: cater for all students' needs, be creative in her methods of teaching, create interactive resources, meet parents when they need a contact hour, IEP meetings ... Teachers don't even have the time to sit down at their desks let alone do the corrections when the students are with you!
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 20:23
But then they would have a right to ask for leave during the scholastic year. In which case you can go and look after the class yourself...That would be a sight!
G Schembri
Jul 16th 2012, 20:40
Yes why not. But then where will summer schools be held, at your house? Will you pay for insalation and running of airconditioning as well cesco di luigi.
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 22:27
But then teachers would have the right to take leave during the scholastic year like other workers. Perhaps then you will volunteer to take the class yourself!
D Borg
Jul 16th 2012, 22:41
@ di luigi cesso
Yes why not...but then something has to give ...teachers are not a perfect multi tasking individual like you are...they are limited by time ...lessons/contact hours...capisc?
H. J. Grech
Jul 16th 2012, 19:42
To all those who shut up when there's an article against teachers and go all out when teachers try to defend their rights, I invite them to come and teach my dear fifth formers for one week only and I bet one month salary that they'll make your life hell! You don't even know what a teacher's job is. I've just finished about 18 lessons adapted for interactive whiteboards ... oh sorry probably you don't even know what an interactive whiteboard look like. Obviously I've got a lot more work to prepare because SEC exams don't wait. Please shut up and give me and my colleagues a break!
Lawrence Fenech
Jul 16th 2012, 21:29
@Grech.
So why are you living in hell? Any private lessons?
H. J. Grech
Jul 18th 2012, 06:39
Dear Mr. Fenech,
the difference between a trained teacher and any other individual is that as a Form 5 teacher I have a whole year , when these students are in form 4, to observe their behaviour and their performance. I am already prepared to tackle certain unruly behaviour, social and family problems. I'm sorry to say but our job is not just teaching. At times we are like social workers, we have to control the class too. We know how to do it, you don't! I don't live in hell because the students know me but they don't know you and they will test you. Experience tells me that in order to pass this type of test you need time and with students at that level there's no time. Remember ... I don't live in hell!
J Cassar
Jul 16th 2012, 19:20
Teachers should be given summer clerical jobs to do as long as they are still receiving their wages during the 3 months of summer, that is what they do in other European countries. They already work 6 hours daily instead of 8 and I am including the 2 breaks which amount to 1 hour.
Graziella Dalli
Jul 16th 2012, 19:43
Why don't you do the clerical work?? Are you damn serious? I haven't had one single day of holidays from when we started the official holidays..not even on weekends as we teachers have so much work to prepare for the next scholastic year that I can't take one day off.. Actually that's what holidays from school are; more work for us at home!!! Make sure you check the facts before you speak. MY husband is so fed up of always seeing me working all the time. That's our lovely teacher's job hux!!
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 20:06
J Cassar i would check my facts before scribbling if I were you.
I will not repeat what I told Phil Sam further down about the mythical 3 months Summer holidays. But i will ask you to check about the breaks Teachers have only one official break at mid day. The other break of 15 minutes is only for students. Teachers are still on duty during that break. As for the six hours spent on the school premises. A teacher's work continues after school. You may want to try teaching for a while to see how cushy it is.
G Schembri
Jul 16th 2012, 20:57
For your information, teachers don't have 2 half hour breaks, the two breaks are 20mins long and are given to the students, during these breaks the teachers supervise the students. Unlike other workers who sit down over a cup of coffee sharing some jokes or some gossip about how easy life is for teachers, they usually drink their coffee and eat their lunch, standing in the middle of a playground or sitting at their desk, explaining the day before's lessons to students who were absent.
Teachers do not have 3 months holidays, teachers start their holidays a fortnight after the students and start school a week before. That makes 2 months including Santa Maria which is a public holiday. Unlike other workers teachers cannot take time off work whenever they want. As a matter of fact they cannot take any time off for pleasure. If teachers age given clerical work as you say, who will do the lesson plans, handouts and schemes of work for the next year? The clerks?
S Muscat
Jul 17th 2012, 09:06
U zgur Miss Dalli. Fis-sajf tkun busy bil-lezzjonijiet tal-privat qisek!! Paga tajba u dejjem tridu!!! U min ghandu paga li ma tixraqlux dejjem jibqa fejn ikun!!!
C. Vella
Jul 17th 2012, 22:19
@ S Muscat: I am a technician and my wife is a teacher. With few hours overtime I earn more then her and remember I do not have a degree like the profession of a teacher. On the other hand I may take my leave whenever I like not like a teacher. Their leave is forced leave. Few people know that when a teacher wants to take some leave during the scholastic year, they need to justify why they are going to take it and they cannot take a whole day off. They are currently working on next year curriculum to improve the teaching for next year pupils; maybe some day they were your own kids. Believe me it is not an easy job. We had to plan our wedding, holidays during summer. If you do not believe me you can come to my house and see by your own eyes next year's resources and material. Maybe you can always try yourself the profession of a teacher.
N. Agius
Jul 16th 2012, 18:58
Reading the comments below, one can say why the educational system is failing. There is no respect whatsover towards the teaching profession. Just envy for having a 2 month break in summer. I am spending the whole summer preparing material for next year so that your children can have a bright future. All this apart from the countless nights spent correcting. Overall a teacher works more on task than most other jobs. The only thing is that a substantial part of this is done at home.
martin said
Jul 16th 2012, 19:22
Do you think that this is the only job with problems?
At least you are not on call ALL year round!!
J Cassar
Jul 16th 2012, 19:26
2 month break during summer? who are u joking teacher? summer + carnival + Easter + Xmas + starting of November etc. etc. Do you think all this is fair towards other workers in the country?
K Mizzi
Jul 16th 2012, 19:33
2 month break????? bis serjeta' inti Agius?? tahdmu 1/3 tas sena, bir ragun li kullhadd irid jilhaq teacher
N. Agius
Jul 16th 2012, 20:41
@ K Mizzi ...
Why don't you apply as a supply teacher if you think that the conditions are so advantageous?
Peppi Borg
Jul 16th 2012, 18:48
When during these summer holidays you hear a mum lament about her troublesome two kids, just remember that a teacher has to face a lot more than two kids every day. The teacher besides teaching has to play the police, the social worker, the parent, etc etc etc.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 16th 2012, 18:11
It's always the same thing with some people - teacher-bashing at its best, or worst, should I say.
And probably, the most vociferous are those who send their offspring to school unprepared and expecting miracles to happen, to boot!
Joseph N. Attard
Jul 16th 2012, 17:31
The pendulum has swung completely (out of control, I would say). Besides being paid two thirds of her male counterparts, my wife had to give up teaching when we were married, which was of course very unjust. Now, teachers who give birth during holidays want extra leave as well. I thought that maternity leave was there to enable a person to carry out her maternal duties. If it is summer holidays, these can be carried out without resort to both types of leaves, , but just by utilizing one type. And please, believe me, I hate people who are motivated by jealousy. But a country can bear so much financial burden and no more. Please look at what is happening around us to countries which tried to fulfill their citizen's (read voters) every wish.
Peter Bonello
Jul 16th 2012, 17:52
AGREE with you sir!
cesco di luigi
Jul 16th 2012, 20:01
well said.
Victor Pulis
Jul 16th 2012, 17:18
Mr. Phil Sam holidays started on 12th July and finish on 18th September. I'll leave you to do the maths and remind you that weekends don't count as holidays. If you get 3 months holidays I can recommend you to a very good maths teacher!
By the way, our parliamentarians have just awarded themselves an extended Summer holiday till 1st October. No one uttered a single word maybe because parliamentarians don't releave parents of their very own children?
Carmel camilleri
Jul 16th 2012, 16:56
What's else? Our teachers are being paid handsomely for working just a third of the normal working days. Well now why bother to pay them for staying the whole working days at home.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 16th 2012, 17:19
Paid 'handsomely'? Do you know anything about it? Are you sure that you are for real? I hope you're not one of so many parents who offer teachers their troublesome kids and then expect miracles to happen.
S. Azzopardi
Jul 16th 2012, 17:24
I don't know how you come to say that teachers work for a third of the normal working days. Can you please explain by what mysterious mathematical equation did you arrive to this answer? Personally I think that your pathetic grudge against teachers is because you are still unable to count properly.
Kate Micallef
Jul 16th 2012, 17:44
are you serious?? what about the time spent to prepare the lessons and the correction of homework and tests?
Joseph Borg
Jul 16th 2012, 18:35
If you dont have an idea please shut up. I know teachers that they stay up to midnight nearly everyday to correct the homeworks and prepare lessons which sometimes involves in charting etc etc. I know what Iam saying. I would say that they are not being justified of their earnings cause when you deduct the N.I. and the tax you come to a very low income compared to other professions.
O Ghigo
Jul 16th 2012, 19:11
Yes 'Sir' I agree with you. For the basic salary for a new teacher is 'handsome'. After all teachers only spend countless hours correcting home-works, updating lesson plans, preparing creative innovative materials and finding resources to mention only a few of our duties. Furthermore they are only responsible for 20 to 25 children contained in one room and who have to face 50 parents at the very least, most of whom ask why their child didn't get a 100% in the exams, but then look lovingly at their child and explaining that they only punch other kids because they're spirited! Yes I agree with you indeed. A third of the normal working hours!!
K Mizzi
Jul 16th 2012, 19:35
1/3 of the normal working days and 6 hours instead of 8 + weekly meetings +weekly outings e bilhaqq u jekk tahbat holiday on a weekend dawn ghandhom dritt jehduha darb ohra ta' m'hux bhal haddiema l'ohrajn
D Borg
Jul 16th 2012, 22:35
@ Carmel Camilleri
"paid handsomely"..."third of the normal working days"!
Ghax ma tapplikax mela ghal teacher la huma daqshekk tajjeb!
Jien ghamilt din il-gimgha nahdem sas-siegha ta' filghodu nipprepara ghas-sena d-diehla...Ghaliex? Ghax forsi is-sillabus jinbidel kull sentejn Sur Camilleri!
Nistenna li narak teacher...jekk ghandek il-kwalifiki wara kollox!
Mr phil sam
Jul 16th 2012, 15:40
Sandro, i think 2 months is excessive.
L Zahra
Jul 16th 2012, 20:10
Mr or Mrs K Mizzi, nahseb li Vera ma tafx x' inti tghid Jew ahjar qed tghid Dak li jaqbel lilek!!! 6 hours at school .... U li jsir id-dar nista' nnizlu x'imkien halli thallasni inti tieghu?? U din tal holiday li tahbat fil weekend veru ma tafx x"int tghid!!! Ghax mhux veru li qed tghid!! U l-outings li qed issemmi ... Ghidli naqra, min imur maghhom it-tfal f'dawn l-outings??? Min?? Ta' min tkun ir-responsabbilta Ta' 26 tifel??
Mary Pace
Jul 16th 2012, 13:33
Allura il festi meta jigu fil holidays jew il weekend ghandu jinaghta compensation u jekk johorgu sick fis sajf jithalsu ukoll. Mhux ta b'xej l-ewropa qeghda kif inhi falluta. Mhux ta bxejn l-employers ghandhom ugieh ta ras meta jumpjegaw mara specjalment mizzewga u zaghzagh bil ghaqal mhux qed issibu xoghol xieraq imhabba dawn ir-rights kollha.
L Zahra
Jul 16th 2012, 13:28
Dear Mr Phil,
If you are still one of those who says that teachers have 3 months summer holidays, kindly note that you really don't know what you're saying! Although students finished their scholastic year during the last week of June, teachers only stopped last week due to meetings & other courses that need to be done. Secondly, if students start school again on the 24 th of September, teachers would have been going to school for preparations for the next scholastic year by the 2 nd week of September ... So it's not 3 months holidays. For your info, dedicated teachers spend lots of time during these " holidays" that many people like you always want to mention ... Updating their resources so that students enjoy schooling... Preparing interactive resources which need to be prepared from scratch for certain subjects, planning for the next scholastic year etc etc... But these are never seen by all those who always claim that teachers have too many holidays! ...It's always the same story ... When MUT speaks up for the rights of teachers, it's always the same issue that people mention - the holidays! Spend a year as a teacher especially in the primary years and then see if you can handle it!
Mr phil sam
Jul 16th 2012, 10:17
The odds of a teacher giving birth during a school holiday. Are very good (3 months summer holiday), so to give them maternity leave on top of their vacation leave !. plus the other school holidays throughout the year, will mean hardly any attendance, at all.
Sandro Borg
Jul 16th 2012, 12:47
"(...)plus the other school holidays throughout the year, will mean hardly any attendance, at all."
It's the green-eyed monster again, I see! 3 months' summer holidays is only a myth - they barely exceed 2 months and are very well-deserved. And if other employees' vacation and maternity leave are availed of separately, why should teachers be treated any differently? What have we joined the EU for if we insist to ignore its rules and directives?
Elaine Debono
Jul 16th 2012, 14:09
If it bothers you so much that teachers should get their well-deserved leave, whether maternity or other, then take up the challenge and teach! A teacher's holidays (if you may call them that) are taken up by planning, correcting, reporting and thinking of the best possible ways to instill some form of education in our younger generations. You yourself can read and write because a teacher had the patience to read, check and correct your work, because a teacher had the patience to follow your development throughout at least one year of your life. If you had to calculate all the background work that goes into teaching (not including the contact hours with children) you yourself will probably be shocked to find out that these people are grossly underpaid and under-appreciated. Yet they do not complain. Many have the patience to help students even up to the nights before their O-Levels, whether by phone or e-mail. Don't critisise before you know what it is like to be a teacher!
Mr Anton Portelli
Jul 16th 2012, 19:06
@ Elaine Debono
Very well said Elaine. It has been always like this for teachers.
Mr. Phil Sam - Everyone envies them for the "Holidays". You may wish to note that considering the amount of vacation leave that other grades are entitled to teachers do not have much more. Besides teachers holidays are to be taken compulsorily when they fall unlike other grades who can avail themselves of the leave when their heart desires.
Besides have you ever heard parents complaining that their (perhaps) two children have drained their heads off. Imagine a teacher who has 25 children in class and they are nor his or hers but they still do their best to educate them.
K Mizzi
Jul 16th 2012, 19:31
Teachers should work during summer, Easter and Christmas just like other workers do who pay the same Ni and the same taxes.
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