MUT was not consulted by anyone about tablets in classrooms
Mr Bonello (centre) speaking at the press conference.
MUT president Kevin Bonello said today neither political party consulted the union before making proposals on giving tablets to school children.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, he said the MUT was not against the introduction of tablets as a classroom tool, but, he said, this was a reform which merited consultation with teachers.
He questioned whether the two political parties were listening to the teachers because. he said, so far very few of the proposals mentioned by the MUT had been mentioned in the campaigns.
The proposals, he said, included additional measures for safety in schools, measures against bullying, and tackling basic things such as cleanliness.
He noted that a report presented by the MUT last year showed that teachers were overwhelmed by rapid reforms. Therefore the MUT was surprised to hear about the tablets, which were another reform.
He said that other priorities needed to be taken in hand, such as reducing the number of pupils in order to enable teachers to better handle mixed ability classrooms.
He said that in the tablets issue one had to consider various issues, including the fact that current regulations do not allow wifi in state schools.
Furthermore, he said, teachers needed to be trained before tablets were introduced.
During the press conference Mr Bonello launched a new campaign called Together Against Abuse, which is an awareness campaign. He said that a minority of teachers were suffering various forms of abuse, notably verbal abuse, bullying from students and parents and being yelled at by other colleagues. Some had also suffered sexual harassment.
He said that within six working days there had been two physical attacks - against a teacher and an assistant of school. He said that an assistant head of school in a primary school was assaulted by a parent yesterday. The union was urging him to file a report to the police.
Mr Bonello said the MUT several months ago had called for security guards in schools and at last, the government had set a meeting for February 1.
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51 Comments
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Victor Vella
Jan 30th, 12:40
Jien kont nahseb li l-MUT huma iktar intelligenti. Dan li qed jghidu issa il-politikanti iffisser li minn dak li ghedena m`hemmx xejn appena ikunu fil-gvern! X`jikonsultaw maghkom meta ma hemmx xejn hlief weghdiet u duhhan. Daqs kemm wieghed Gonzi l-ahhar elezzjoni u minn dak li qal spicca kollox flasjat. Mhux talli spicca flasjat izda spicca go fossa li huwa jxomm tfuh u l-poplu jibla`.
Mary Borg
Jan 29th, 22:54
Whenever I read such hopeless comments, I can't help myself but pity future generations. There is little respect for one of the noblest jobs in the world and authority in general. No wonder there is so much arrogant behaviour around. Others are blinded by the glitters of statistics, new edifices and gadgets and fail to see the crude underlying picture which is not at all fascinating.
A Calleja
Jan 29th, 20:31
Is this the right attitude to teach the children?...when you see something positive make sure you squeeze some negative out. Well done MUT keep it up!
Ray Buhagiar
Jan 29th, 19:27
Tablets can be considered a potential weapon of thrown. Teachers should request a helmet
Ruben Mifsud
Jan 29th, 19:09
I work in the private sector, and when our employer decided to digitise our working practice we were never consulted! We just had to abide and learn the system in a couple of days. It was a take it or buzz off situation. In this case the goverment is the employer so why all this fuss? I am sure most teachers are computer litterate!
Michelle Attard Tonna
Jan 29th, 20:06
@ Ruben Mifsud - Teachers need to be consulted not to give their approval, but because they hold expertise and can enlighten policymakers (and politicians in this case) on whether tablets are necessary and on their best use. Moreover, teaching with a tablet takes much more than being computer literate - you need to know how to use it pedagogically.
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 18:17
Information technology is alright but it doesn't solve all problems. in fact if misused or overused it could create problems rather than solve them. Motor skills are going down the drain in most children. Creativity and problem solving along with common sense are also lacking. Some things cannot be taught on computers or tablets.
S. Buttigieg
Jan 29th, 17:59
Teachers query how much tablets would be conducive to active, long-term learning, besides the expense involved that could be better used elsewhere. They want what is truly the best for their pupils/students. The fact that teachers are not even consulted about an instrument, which they ultimately will have to use when they know the reality of today's classroom contexts, leaves much to be desired.
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 29th, 17:57
(2) Teachers are being harassed internally by people who barely spent 5 years in a classroom. There are teachers who because they are over 50 are being faced with changes that are violent on their psychological being. The MUT knows this and knows what is going on internally with posts given to special persons who are making a career in top jobs at the age of 32! This is unfair and vexes teachers.
S. Buttigieg
Jan 29th, 17:50
When I read and hear certain comments regarding teachers it is so obvious that so many people do not appreciate how much time and energy is required to prepare one single lesson let alone 26 per week, correct and, last but not least,control a class of pupils/students. Dedicated teachers spend a good part of their ''holidays''(2 months and 3 weeks) preparing or updating their material.
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 29th, 17:42
(1) From some comments below confirm why parents attack teachers. If some of you disrespect the Teaching Profession by using such comments then I forsee a very bleak time for education in Malta. Tablets or no is a very serious issue, and with political parties SuperMarketing special offers in this way, I am not surprised that we have a very backward mentality in tackling such a serious issue.
Paul Zammit
Jan 29th, 17:04
lol ... and; exactly .... consult the MUT for what? expert advise? hahaha ...
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 29th, 16:50
There will be plenty of time to consult the teachers' union about the modus operandi of the tablet once the necessary legislation is passed by either party - unless of course the MUT is against this technology on principle, in which case it should state its case now and enlighten the electorate instead of moaning about lack of consultation.
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 29th, 17:53
@ Francis Saliba, I respect your comments and opinion. I feel that it the Government would give a much healthier view if it had consultations before regarding this subject, The Mut is reputed to be a pioneer when it comes to I T in schools. The Mut is facing a very difficult time with teachers who are not being only abused by outsiders but also insiders. The MUT is not moaning it is informing!
GL Calleja
Jan 29th, 19:05
Dr Saliba, you and I and the whole country know and recognizes that this is a political plot and does not have much to do to improve the children's education. The children can learn a lot more from their teachers and their parents than they can learn fro a FREE playful tablet. I think that both political parties are so hard up for votes, they are willing to sell their souls to the devil.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 30th, 09:17
@Joseph Camilleri & GL Calleja
If there is a problem with a some teachers not being computer literate that problem should be solved by raising the teachers' standards to those of their computer literate schoolchildren, not vice-versa.
Teacher abuse by parents and children is deplorable but unrelated
Greater use of IT technology in our schools is common sense wisdom, not a political plot.
francis Buhagiar
Jan 29th, 16:27
What is happening to the teaching profession is all due to the fact that the teacher lost his identity and the will of a manager. First and foremost the union should not have accepted to have the teachers accept a laptop under various conditions but they should have been given an allowance to upgrade themselves as have been done with other professions.
Dunstan Crockford
Jan 29th, 16:16
At a time like this I really miss not having the late Alfred Buhagiar around! He was our excellent and brave president when we were locked out and in the years that folowed he threaded carefully when dealing with political parties!
Most teachers HAD to take tablets then..Valium and anti depressants!
Sylvana Brannon
Jan 29th, 16:15
This is hilarious! Abuse on teachers?? What about abuse BY teachers and assistant heads?? I am sure I am not the only one who hears stories about teachers singling out students, embarrassing them or shaming them in front of their peers, lowering their self-esteem, and sending them home crying and shaking over trivial issues... behaviours which would get them fired on the spot in any other country!
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 14:44
The teacher basher brigade are out in force once again! And they have the gall to call others whingers!
matthew tanti
Jan 29th, 14:36
stop complaining and get on with your job ! i never hear you complaining about four months yearly holidays, and finishing work at half 2!
Joseph Borg
Jan 29th, 15:56
You should stop complaining and groaning. Instead you can join the teachers and have 4 mounths holidays and finish work at 2. But dont forget that you have to stay till late night everyday working and preparing lessons to educate students. Otherwise you dont know what you're saying. You dont have any idea how hard the job is to teach especially nowadays.
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 17:34
Matthew Tanti the door is open you can walk in whenever you want and start enjoying the 4 months holidays (I bet that includes the famous three months in Summer!) If you don't I'll have to conclude that you dont really believe what you're saying
Andy Hawkins
Jan 29th, 14:28
Dear Mr Bonello, I am sure that the pupils can show the teachers how to use them !!!!! Do political parties need your permission to draw up their manifesto? Grow up and stop playing the victim.
Paul Pulis
Jan 29th, 17:17
If students are that bright, then here is no use to introduce tablets to make then bright!
Victor Pulis
Jan 29th, 18:13
When a political party's manifesto affects one's life (and all manifestoes do) yes they need our permission because we are the ones who have to implement that manifesto not some expert seating behind a desk on some cloud.
C Chircop
Jan 29th, 14:03
(2) The overall cost of this venture should be seen in the context of associated items, not least the device's maintenance, the school's network and Internet connectivity, device's physical and system security, ongoing training, & potential social implications. Finally, there will be an increase in resource allocation at MITA to support such a proliferation of devices.
C Chircop
Jan 29th, 13:55
(1) The MUT was right in raising the issue, and Education's priorities right now - items which need catering for. Introduction of personal computing devices across the board, such as netbooks & tablets, should be looked at holistically. The scope is in introducing a tool which will enhance the student overall education experience & the instructors' productivity.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 29th, 14:26
The real scope is to eliminate the digital divide. As the eLearning platform is being introduced (already been done at Primary school level), then the next step is to provide all with a computer (hence the tablet PC). I would expect that eventually free WIFI would also be provided.
E. Azzopardi
Jan 29th, 13:53
It is not the first time and it will not be the last. COMMUNICATION was and still is not a forte of most of our politicians.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 29th, 13:47
Il proposta tal PL taghmel aktar sens ghax tkun introdotta sena b'sena taghti lok ta mmaniggjar ahjar u problemi li zgur jinqalghu.
Kullhadd jaf bit tghaffig kbir li kien hawn u ghad fadal fuq ir riforma ta transport pubbliku ghax xi 'esperti' riedu jbiddlu kollox f'salt.
Michael Flaherty
Jan 29th, 13:42
Mr Bonello has a point. Teachers are going to need to adapt, and while I'm sure they won't have any objection (even though the tablet idea is a waste of money/ time, same as the smartboards were, which take ages to operate), they will need some time to get used to the software etc. It's kind of like a friend promising that you will do a favour for someone without asking you first.
joseph green
Jan 29th, 13:27
Then you better get trained , because whatever the outcome of the election the tablets are to be introduced soon. Note also that we are living in 2013.
Paul Meilak
Jan 29th, 13:24
"MUT president Kevin Bonello said today neither political party consulted the union before making proposals on giving tablets to school children."
so what ?
Julian Borg
Jan 29th, 13:23
MUT tad-dahk.......irrespective of which party you support the MUT should welcome such an initiative. Why is that they are more intent with finding fault than making it happen Maybe they are looking for a new allowance??
Paul Pulis
Jan 29th, 17:21
The major challenges of education are not the media with which learning is delivered, but the poor attitudes towards learning and the arrogant behaviour of a number of students backed by their similar parents.
Oliver Grech
Jan 29th, 13:22
But sorry ta, what do you expect that political parties come and tell you their secret proposals xi months ahead?
I am in favour that teachers should get training on the tablets but come on grow up...its just a few hours, after all the tablets won't be given in this scholastic year for sure, so you have ample time to get the training....say in september.
Claire Busuttil
Jan 29th, 13:20
kemm qediin sew!!!
j brincat
Jan 29th, 13:16
"including the fact that current regulations do not allow wifi in state schools"
But that's the easiest thing to do away with, no?
jb
J. Zammit
Jan 29th, 13:15
Oh stop moaning about not being consulted (by either party). Like it or not, tablets are the way forward. Instead of flipping pages, the kids (& teachers) will flip virtual pages! Do teachers really need to be trained for this! Overwhelmed! Indeed? All teachers do is whinge! No wonder our kids grow to be whingers too! I look forward to the day when kids will stop carting books in their backpacks.
D. Tanti
Jan 29th, 13:48
Really? Why not leave your job and become a teacher? All you'll have to do is sit down, flip virtual pages and whinge all day long!!
People are so used to saying that teachers have an easy job**. No wonder our kids show lack of respect towards teachers & authority!!
** Imbagħad tiskanta kif dawn l-istess nies ma jkunux iridu jsiru għalliema!!
J. Zammit
Jan 29th, 14:26
Whinge...whinge.. "Why not leave your job and become a teacher?". Read how I never commented on the level of ease or difficulty of your job. What I did say is that there is no big deal in reading from either book or tablet and no SIGNIFICANT training is required!! My oh my....you cannot even read a post without complaining! I bet you'd be happier with stone tablets and chisels instead!!
j brincat
Jan 29th, 13:13
"Furthermore, he said, teachers needed to be trained before tablets were introduced"
How right he is!
AND this is why the PL is proposing that as a start they should begin with Year 4 students ONLY and NOT promising them to one and all as the PN is promising whilst still stunned and under their Panic Mode!
jb
Raymond Micallef
Jan 29th, 13:13
Mr. Bonello cannot you see that we are in an Election campaign, and votes come first, and discussions later!!!
G. Ellul
Jan 29th, 13:08
Tajba din.....Turi x'sakra ghall-poter ghandom fuqhom il-partiti!
Joseph Micallef
Jan 29th, 13:06
It is not true that current regulations do not allow WIFI in state schools...Some schools in fact already have it!
Sue De Nym
Jan 29th, 13:31
Any guarantees that wi-fi in class is not detrimental to children's health?
http://www.centerforsaferwireless.org/Wi-Fi-in-classrooms55.php
Technology is not always better.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 29th, 13:43
Ms De Nym, maybe you should also read this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9550356/Mobile-phones-and-wi-fi-do-not-cause-cancer-researchers-find.html
and this:
http://news.cnet.com/Is-Wi-Fi-bad-for-your-health/2100-7351_3-6139256.html
and this:
http://medicinereport.com/article/wifi-bad-you
Joseph Micallef
Jan 29th, 14:28
Quoting from: http://medicinereport.com/article/wifi-bad-you "Unfortunately, a lot of people continue to suffer from a peculiar form of mass hysteria which has them convinced that invisible wireless internet signals can induce rashes, vomiting, headaches, nausea, and all the rest."
Sue De Nym
Jan 29th, 16:14
So are children suffering from mass hysteria too when they complain of the REAL negative physical effects? They are not really feeling what they do?
If you have kids and you are OK with letting them be exposed for many hours every day, it's up to you. Pity those who do not want them to, but would have to put up with it because they have no choice!
Joseph Micallef
Jan 29th, 17:47
Ms. De Nym. It's not the children who do the complaining! They are quite happy using WIFI connections. It's the parents who complain and become hysteric. Such effects mentioned in my quote can the result of anything from colds, allergies, indigestion etc - which are things any children can suffer even those never exposed to WIFI. Please read on the other links I posted for you!
Please choose the reason of your report below: