Labour announces proposals for teachers, including paid sabbatical
Labour announces proposals for teachers, including paid sabbatical
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said today that Labour is proposing to introduce a fully-paid sabbatical of up to one year to enable teachers to further their studies, in a way which did not cause disruption in schools.
Speaking outside the Lyceum in Hamrun, he said Labour was also proposing a system for teachers to be able to easily transfer between state, private and church schools without losing salary progression.
He said Labour wanted to beef up safety and security in schools. Incidents of violence against teachers were a matter of concern, he said, and should be tackled.
He said all the proposals would be discussed with the Malta Union of Teachers.
In other proposals, Dr Muscat said a Labour government would launch an educational and information campaign to promote more respect for teachers and for the status of teachers in society to be improved.
Labour would also remove clerical and bureaucratic duties which teachers were performing, enabling them to focus on teaching.
'Labour wants to build a coalition with teachers and their union," the Labour leader said.
He said talks would be held on a new minimum national curriculum where teachers would have an enabling role.
An annual national conference for all teaching grades would also be held to discuss the educational system.
He said Labour wanted to improve working conditions for teachers.
Labour would also introduce a new school maintenance programme.
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J Mifsud
Feb 1st, 09:01
I think this is a very good proposal for teachers KA or LSAs to further their study. Good proposal.
Ann-Marie CaruanA
Jan 31st, 21:11
I fail to understand why this fantastic proposal is offered only to teachers? Shouldn't t Learning Support Assistants be included too? They give a service to a number of students and their job, as well as other vacancies in inclusion, are always on demand; hence, why shouldn't t they be given sabbatical leave to further their studies?
J Mifsud
Feb 1st, 09:00
Dear Ann Marie. This proposal is for teachers, Heads, KGA and LSAs and not only to teachers. It's true the Times didn't mention this but other portals has mentioned it.
Henry S Pace
Jan 31st, 20:08
'Labour announces proposals for teachers, including paid sabbatical '
As far as we know when government employees are sent overseas to further their studies the receive the full salary and other allowances.
Joey you are making a good mixture of things..
IN MALTESE QIEGHED THJAWAD - YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKONG ABOUT.
Michael Magri
Feb 1st, 18:37
Sur Pace.. Nahseb li int qed thawwad ta.. Skond kumment tal-Vici Prersident tal-MUT, din is-sistema, sa `llum, m`hijiex applikabli ghat teachers.. So nahseb li int ma tafx x`qed tghid Henry..
Mr Nathan zammit
Jan 31st, 18:53
meta kont fil primarja kellna ghallima mill ghaqwa.. imma l maggoranza ma kellomx ideja ta kif tuza computer, ovvjament ax kellhom il fuq minn 50 sena u ma kellomx cans jitghallmu qatt.. din is sabbathical tista tghodd ghal training hekk u aktar! biex l ghalliema jibghu intatti mat tibdil li jsir fl edukazzjoni ul mod kif tghallem.. xejnxejn jiehdu break mit tfal jajtu u jaqilghu panigierku
patrick cutajar
Jan 31st, 18:51
The vast consultation with several teachers is now resulting in concrete proposals.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:22
What vast consultations are you talking about?? Several teachers?
Matthew Borg
Jan 31st, 18:00
Part 4: An educator can shape a young person’s future for better or for worse…
Suggestion: Why not first assess the usage and impact of the Interactive Whiteboards before loading the classroom environment with so many gismos and gadgets?
Matthew Borg
Jan 31st, 17:59
Part 3 - Educators, to remain relevant and effective, need to move on through continuous study and training. The biggest threat to an educator is when demotivation kicks in - that’s why the transfer issue should be solved immediately thus to move from one school to another or between different sectors without losing any seniority is healthy.
Matthew Borg
Jan 31st, 17:58
Part 2: Investing in Education is certainly a priority - that’s why parents’ days are still popular and can even cause mayhem. Everyone wants a top notch education for his/her own children however having Interactive Whiteboards and Tablets is not going to solve anything, hence why it is also important to equally invest in educators themselves.
Wenzu Zammit
Jan 31st, 16:56
Why only teachers?
Antoine Vella
Jan 31st, 16:50
How much will these proposals cost?
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 16:09
@ Mr Joseph Azzopardi
"enhancing the education system as improving teacher's skills and teaching practices"
According to the LEJBURIST party there is no TABLET for the teachers, there is a ONE TIME grant of a tablet for the Fourth Formers ONLY.
Nenu Cassar
Jan 31st, 16:05
Why is it that both parties appear reluctant to tackle the 'private lessons' racket that is taking place all over Malta and Gozo where many teachers give private lessons to their own students and moreover they never declare this extra income.
Ms Borg
Jan 31st, 15:23
Teachers are most privelged if they want to further their studies since they finish max. at 2.30pm. I absolutely find this announcement unfair and discriminating against other job titles. Please retrieve this proposal!
When I took my Masters I undertook an evening course.3 days a wk I finshed work at 5pm and at 5.30pm I am at the class.There are no excuses if any teacher wants to further studies
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 31st, 17:49
A teacher's work does NOT finish at 2.30!!!
Thanks PL!
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:25
At St. Clare College, Pembroke, we finish at 3....kun certa qabel tiftah halqek!! Taghmel figura kemm kemm ahjar. Meta int tispicca fil 5, ma nahsibx li jkollok corrections, lesson notes, handouts, tests, feedback for students etc etc to continue at home...Hawn hafna teachers li ghamlu masters (inkluz jien), u anki Phd's......so....
stephen mifsud
Jan 31st, 15:15
look lets face the facts that Malta politics and keep in mind the small island mentality and voting population which is what 300,000 im guessing is no different from a huge company like General Motors or Ford Motor Company employees voting for a NEW Collective Agreement so its Employers interest which PN represents vs Workers interests which is represented by the PL and its workers time now ...
David C
Jan 31st, 14:42
I can't understand why there are still ppl living in 2013 who instead of using their brain and reason things out they just say that whatever the other party does is bad and whatever their party does is wrong!...This is actually one of the few things which makes sense! Congrats..
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 14:35
@ EDDIE privitera
Il-PL qieghed ixandar il-programm bicca, bicca, halli ma nixirqux. Normalment tarbija titmahha l-ikel kuccarina kuccarina.
GonziPN fl-ahhar ippublika l-programm f'daqqa izda mid-dehra Karmenu Vella ghadu qieghed jikteb dan l-imbierek programm tal-PL. Tablets - PL jghid f'Year4 u jikteb fuq il-Bill Boards mill-Year 4. Tridu TQARQU XEJN IZJED.
K Grech
Jan 31st, 15:47
Angelo Vassallo
Day 1 PN - tablets for all
Day 2 PN - tablets from year3 till form 5
and when will this happen? we will not know until he is elected. No concrete plan.
Maria Debono
Jan 31st, 14:34
as if the MUT is so gullible as to believe all this....go and tell that to the marines.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 14:28
@ EDDIE privitera
What we can surely say is that if the Nationalist Government took heed of what "dear leader" joseph muscat told us Maltese and the Icelanders, and if we took heed of what he told us about Cyprus being an example for us how to govern, we would not be in this electoral campaign but we would be demonstrating in the streets in favour jobs, pensions and education.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 14:18
@ EDDIE privitera
Dr. Muscat is proving that he has listened to what Teachers and their union have been saying. And is pledging to ACT !
He did not even speak to the Malta Union of Teachers regarding the ONE TIME TABLET FOR ONLY YEAR FOUR STUDENTS.
K Grech
Jan 31st, 15:48
Neither did Gonzi Speak about TABLETS FOR ALL.
B.C. Borg
Jan 31st, 15:59
@ Angelo Vassallo
For your information, Year 4 would be the ideal starting year to enhance learning methods using IT from Year onwards. It is not a one time only for Year 4's only as you are implying.
M. Busuttil
Jan 31st, 14:18
I wonder...How on earth will such proposals be financed?!
Pl's political manifesto already involves millions if not billions of euros!
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 14:15
@ EDDIE privitera
After this speech, Dr. Muscat toured the Junior College and was given a rousing welcome by the students !
By how many? By just 200 out of 5000 students? That was rousing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K Grech
Jan 31st, 15:50
gonzi says night tariffs will go down from 6-26%. By how many? how much will a unit cost? ain't it absurd to give that relatively biggg range of 20% difference? because seriously if it is 6% we will not move from the situation we stand in right now.
G. Desira
Jan 31st, 13:30
No one of the political parties address the issue of the learning staff working hours which is 26 hours per week compared to 40 hrs per week all other workers work
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 13:50
Most teachers give more than that by correcting home works at home.
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 31st, 14:25
They didn't because they aware that the teacher's work does not finsih at 2.30!!!
B.C. Borg
Jan 31st, 16:00
One have to add that teachers have to plan their lessons according to the syllabus from home.
Nenu Cassar
Jan 31st, 16:02
@ m. borg and @ m. camilleri.
Of course most teachers do not finish work at 2,30pm.. But this is because most (nearly all) give private lessons - sometime to their own pupils. Moreover, nearly all never declare their private lessons income in the income tax returns.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 16:21
Ghandek tfal jattendu xi skola?? Ikollhom notes/handouts u corrected work, tests, revision notes, revision homeworks?? Meta tahseb li nippreparawhom dawn? Surely not while delivering the lessons!! Tparlax minghajr ma tkun taf il - fatti. Keep in mind: It is better to keep your mouth shut and let others thing you are stupid, than opening it and proving it!!
Victor Caruana
Jan 31st, 16:32
Kun af il-fatti Desira! Idhol ghalliem/a ghal gurnata u tkun taf.
G. Desira
Jan 31st, 22:14
@Naomi Attard Borg
Dont be rude and you have to admint the truth. The hand out's notes, revisions and so on are prepared at school during free lessons. You have to keep your mouth shut and stupid.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:32
@ Nenu.....for your information, not all schools finish at 2.30! Apart from finishing at 3, I don't give private lessons, yet I will spend time correcting, preparing lessons, tests, notes, handouts and writing feedback to my students on which topics they need to revise, what extra work they can do to improve on the topic/parts of a topic which they need to improve on.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:35
I teach Maths and Physics (Form 3, 4 and 5). Tghid ma tkunx tghallem form 5, u tlahhaq tikkoregi past papers u tkopri s syllabi waqt il lesson....vera ma tafx x'qed tghid!!
C Chircop
Jan 31st, 13:20
Encouraging proposals, however the paid sabbatical should be for an education-related postgraduate study and entail a contract of 3 years to teaching in an educational insitution, registered as a teacher. Should the person leave for another career prior to those 3 years, he/she would need to pay back a pro-rate amount related to the salary during that sabbatical year.
Ms D. Borg
Jan 31st, 13:17
Tajba din. I think all employees would appreciate a year of paid sabbatical leave. Mela t-teachers xi haga specjali. Discrimination at its best.
Maria Zahra
Jan 31st, 13:13
- I thought that the transfer issue had been solved 2-3 years ago
- how can the school proceed smoothly with a teacher missing on a sabbatical?
- it seems tha JM just received the wishlist from teachers and is promising everything will be done!
- Seems that JM doesn't know how much time it takes to change things in schools! [MUT....]
DC Agius
Jan 31st, 14:32
@ Maria
1. Not at All. Check your facts properly.
2. The same way it proceeds smoothly when parental leave is availed off.
3. JM consulted us teachers properly. A very positive thing - much lacking. Came out with very reasonable proposals.
4. No JM perfectly knows how much time it takes to change things in schools under this present Government. What about MUT? Are you against it as well?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 31st, 13:09
After this speech, Dr. Muscat toured the Junior College and was given a rousing welcome by the students !
jm busuttil
Jan 31st, 14:32
@ Eddy Privitera
Why don't you ask where were most of the students. Most parents know. Out enjoying the sun away from the bombastic promises that Your Joseph is doing that he knows will not materialise.
marc pace
Jan 31st, 15:55
rousing welcome....200 ruh kollox jekk kellhu 200!!!meta mar gonzi 3/4 ta jc marru jilqghawh!!!! i hope that people are not so gullible to believe someone who knows that his own proposals wont be kept as he will do the opposite like all labour governments did in the past
Albert Bonello
Jan 31st, 13:04
Don't count your eggs before they hatch. Like I have been saying all through out this electoral campaign it is easy to promise than to deliver. With this proposal there are alot of 'ifs' & 'when' that will need to be ironed out. Just imagine if one school be it Govt.,/Private/Church gets a request by 10 or 20 teachers, will they all be accepted? BTW were is all this money coming from?
Antoine Psaila
Jan 31st, 13:20
Tidher li ma tifhem xejn kif tahdem l-edukazzjoni f'Malta !! X'request hu li qed tghid? Bhalissa is-sistema hija li jekk teacher ikun mal-knisja u jmur mal-gvern jew vice cersa jitlef l-increments kollha u jerga jibda mil bidu. Din kienet unfair hafna u hafna teachers igergru fuqha. Zgur se tkun proposta li t-teachers kollha se jiehdu gost biha. Prosit u Grazzi Joseph !!
Albert Bonello
Jan 31st, 14:02
Dear Antoine maybe I did not explain myself well, can you explain if this scheme will encourage more movement of teachers between schools leaving certain viod in one school or another. Is this good or are you just seeing your interests i.e. your pocket and not the children's education. If you can please explain the implication of teachers moving around, what will the MUT have to say about this?
Victor Caruana
Jan 31st, 17:08
Albert, li ghalliem jaqsam minn skola privata ghal wahda tal-gvern jew vici-versa diga tezisti jigifieri JM mhux qed jivvinta r-rota. Jekk hemm xi implikazzjonijiet li ghalliem jaghmel hekk, diga jezistu. Kull ma jinbidel huwa li l-ghalliema ma jitilfux l-increments. Ovvjament, din ma taffettwax l-istudenti ghax transfers isiru fis-sajf.
Mr A. Cassar
Jan 31st, 12:49
Well said and done Dr. Joseph Muscat, this is the way forward in this country of ours. You are young , fresh, brainy and honest. You are a Godsend for this Malta and Gozo of ours at this hour of need. God bless you.
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 31st, 12:37
Fl-aħħar! Nifs ġdid għall-għalliema!
Grazzi u prosit!
Min hu ta' rieda tajba, jaf x'għandu jagħmel!
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 12:28
PL should also consider employing Health and Safety personnel .
1: To promote safe and healty surroundings in schools
2. Give lessons in Health and Safety in order to promote H&S culture from a young age.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:38
Health and Safety personnel are already employed thank to the PN...no need for JM to consider it...PN haseb ghaliha ta diga!
G. Cachia
Jan 31st, 12:26
We don't have to blame Perit Karmenu Vella that he didn't finish the PL programme. Because Dr. Muscat is giving us a proposal every day.
Maybe the new power station will be ready before Dr. Joseph Muscat presents all the PL proposals.
Maybe he's thinking that the elections are being held in 2014 so he will be in time to announce the new power bills.
Where is the programme and costings?
charles v schembri
Jan 31st, 12:22
The proposal re a sabbatical year for teachers is laudable. Yet this again shows the bias behind the josephmuscat.com electoral slogan: Malta Taghna Lkoll.
What about other professionals and other employees in the public sector? Why should not a principal, or at that a Director needing the further specialise in his sphere of expertese, in the public sector be also afforded this facility?
Wilfrid Buttigieg
Jan 31st, 12:16
Excellent proposals. Well done.
C Ciappara
Jan 31st, 12:14
[Part 3]
@Luciano Pace Parascandalo
If you want to get the Masters.. go for a part time course like we all do. You will study for yourself, for you to get better at what you do. Teachers will study to improve their teaching hence their students will benefit from them.
C Ciappara
Jan 31st, 12:13
[Part 2]
I'm not a teacher, but I agree that teachers can have time to further their studies!! As long as they learn, pass the exams, and get the required certificates for which they took the paid sabbatical for, I don't mind paying taxes for them! Through this, the education in Malta can only get better, plus our students will have better learning.
C Ciappara
Jan 31st, 12:13
[Part 1]
@James Dimech
@Luciano Pace Parascandalo
Question: Who do you & students & children & all other people go to...to further your/their knowledge & studies?
Answer: To a teacher!
So if the teacher isn't well educated & doesn't keep up with new updates & technologies that come out everyday, do you think that you will learn the best & have the latest updates in your learning??
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:40
Thank you C Ciappara...It is good to hear that someone who is not a teacher appreciates our work!
Charles Cremona
Jan 31st, 11:57
Cyprus Joe is giving early Christmas presents to all, if he carries out all these promises the country is destined to follow Cyprus with the begging bowl in hand.
Melissa Caruana
Jan 31st, 11:55
Teachers have the time to further their studies if they want to. And if any professional decides to further his studies, it is for his own benefit and not for the benefit of students, or the educational system, or the country.
G. Desira
Jan 31st, 11:55
None of the politicals address the issue of working hours all the learning staff work per week, compared to 40 hours per week all the other workers in Malta and Gozo work.
Oliver Grech
Jan 31st, 11:51
So Dr. Muscat you won't be building a new school each year? A good environment is also important for teachers and students alike.
P Vella
Jan 31st, 11:40
Let me tell to all those people who are not involved in education. Do you how much the GonziPN government has spent so as to make it own virtual system in the Maltese educational system? It costed 8 million euros when it could have been done for free. But no in Malta we want our own system we don't want to use other available online software and systems.
James Grech
Jan 31st, 11:39
Teachers that want to further their studies, need to be given all the support possible to do so. Especially if these studies will increase professionalism. A sabbatical, as I understand it, is a year whereby an individual is allowed time to improve his professional carrier. In educational institutions like universities lecturers take a sabbatical after years lecturing, to further their research.
James Grech
Jan 31st, 11:30
This is yet another measure which looks at Education, this time, from a holistic perspective. Teachers need to trained but also given the opportunity to become more qualified in their jobs. In countries like Finland teachers need to have at least a Masters to become so. Undertaking such a feat while performing teaching duties is quite difficult. This is a proposal in the right direction!!
paul falzon
Jan 31st, 11:30
Has Labour forgotten about the rest of the professionals employed with the civil service ? How about giving the rest of the professionals 2-3 years off work to pursue a PHD in their respective areas. Once Labour is at it now it should go all the way especially since public funds don't seem to be an issue for Labour !!
Antoine Psaila
Jan 31st, 11:25
At last someone is going to solve the transfer issue !! Thanks Dr. Muscat I'm sure that most teachers will vote labour after such proposal.
Albert Bonello
Jan 31st, 13:09
Btw has this been costed? I haven't seen any figures as yet. More of the same. JM casts his hook to try and catch as many votes as he can. Comments like Antoine's never seem to amaze me because it shows his true colour but what is even worse is that he tries his utmost to convince others. People are not as stupid as you would like them to be they can see far more than the tip of their noses.
Antoine Psaila
Jan 31st, 13:32
@ Sur Bonello
Inti wiehed minn dawk li l-ewwel sirt engineer, umbghad sirt accountant u issa sirt teacher. Nerga nassigurak li hafna u hafna teachers illum ferhu minhabba din il-proposta u naf x'jien nghid. Issa jekk qed tiddejjaq li minhabba din il-proposta il-PL ha jzid il voti dik storja ohra !!
Albert Bonello
Jan 31st, 14:05
Antione I might not be any of the professions you mentioned but I am definately not a PL supporter, because as I said in previous blogs I can see much further that the horizon. Not everything thats gold shines!
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 22:42
Don't generalise...we won't just focus on the transfer issue when voting!!
mary pace
Jan 31st, 11:20
FATHER XMAS still going, he have no holiday ,this year NO LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lawrence Zammit
Jan 31st, 12:11
Clearly Miss Pace, you did not obtain much from our educational system. Writing a proper sentence that other persons can understand is fundamental in communication.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 31st, 12:59
Mary Pace: Dr. Muscat is proving that he has listened to what Teachers and their union have been saying. And is plefding to ACT !
Pauline Busuttil
Jan 31st, 11:11
Joseph Muscat is saying: We will do this, this, this and that, but are we going to believe him?
Its a big question. I for sure do not believe in him any more.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 31st, 11:23
Well, I do.
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 31st, 11:44
Very true....but wait a second... What is LG saying then??? Hmmmm infact he is saying nothing. Same old promises as from 2008....those which he didn't deliver. You can trust him if you prefer. Do you need any proof???
M Farrugia
Jan 31st, 11:51
Do you believe in Father Christmas ??? I used to when I was a child, not anymore.
A. Borg
Jan 31st, 11:53
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If we don't give him a chance we'll never know. I voted PN the last election but I ended up unemployed and my son after 3 years at Mcast studying IT is currently employed as a part time postman! They were not the 5 years my family dreamed of. Our country moved in the right direction but left me behind.Charity should have began from home my friend.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 31st, 11:59
@Pauline Busuttil as if you ever believed in Joseph Muscat, as far as I know the last 15 years we had a GonziPN government so how exactly did you experience Joseph Muscat
Clinton Magro
Jan 31st, 12:41
That's pretty lame Pauline considering that we've heard PN proposals for the past 25yrs and seen the results and we only just started hearing PLs proposals... There is really nothing to go about. Nothing that can make anyone say "cannot belive in him any more" ... on the other hand its much easier to say that for PN...
Eddy Privitera
Jan 31st, 13:02
Pauline Busuttil: HOw can you say " I for sure do not believe in him any more " ?? You can say that about Lawrence Gonzi because of his unkept promises. But you can't say it about Dr. Muscat since he hasn't made any pledges which he hasn't kept !
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 31st, 13:04
HaHaHa. Show your true face. You are a PN diehard, you will never vote LP. You want us to believe that you used to believe in Joseph Muscat ?
A Spiteri
Jan 31st, 11:09
Jista JosephPL jippublika il-program elletorali tal-PL u mhux gurnata b'gurnata skond kif jaqbilu biex ikun jista minghalih jirbah aktar voti. In-nies jafu jaqraw mhumiex illetrati kif qed jaghmilna. Dan insult ghal-poplu Malti u Ghawdxi. Kif qatt tista tafdah
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 31st, 11:41
Il programm elettorali qed jitmahhulek kuljum. Issa billi jibatlek ktieb li wara tghejja taqra. Prova ftakar numru ta proposti tal PN (li kitibom fuq il programm printjat) u ara kem tiftakar tal-PL....ibqa cert li tal PL tiftakar iktar. U fuq kollox int kull ma qed titlob hija koppja printjata!!!! Btw re illiterizmu.....ir rata zdiedet jigifieri aw min ahjar jisma milli jaqra
Johnny Zammit
Jan 31st, 11:55
You can puvlish 1000 of books like PN do ....what you deliver is the question !!!!!!!!!.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 12:32
Shows that PL's tatics are working.
Like in we say in Maltese "Bil-qatra l-qatra timtela l-garra" and this way PL is steadily and in a way that everyone can understand revealing its road map, aka electoral manifest.
I bet you don't even know what gonzipn's manifest contains except those you hear gonzi repeating from the last two elections.
A Tonna
Jan 31st, 12:35
U int tahseb li n-nies kollha ta' Malta jafu jaqraw bhalek? U aktar minn hekk jaqraw u jifmhu programmi elettorali ta xi stin pagna l-wiehed. U hallina man ! Jien zgur li t-tifel tieghi, li se jivvota l-ewwel darba, mhu se joqghod jaqra l-programmi elettorali biex jiddeciedi lil min se jivvota! Li tispejega b'mod car x'se taghmel u kif huwa ezemplari.
Herman Mercieca
Jan 31st, 12:56
Aseb u ara lill PN ma nizilx detaliji biex ikun jista dawar idiskors kif jaqbilu
Eddy Privitera
Jan 31st, 13:06
A Spiteri: Il-PL qieghed ixandar il-programm bicca, bicca, halli jkun jista jispjega kull proposta. B'hekk il-poplu jkun jista jifhem. GonziPN fl-ahhar ippublika l-programm f'daqqa halli ma jkollux ghalfejn jispjega. GHax jekk jipprova jispjega, jinqabad li m'hemmx serjeta fil-weghdi tal-PN. Ezempju: It-Tablets. Tghidx kemm qed ihawwdu, meta, kif etc.. Min jghid sentejn, min 4 snin etc.. !
James Dimech
Jan 31st, 11:05
What about all other professionals ? Don't we all need one year off to further our knowledge ?
What rubbish. Labour is buying votes from teachers by giving them one year off ... paid from our taxes.
Massimo Gatt
Jan 31st, 12:55
Teachers are an integral part of our educational program and as such should be treated accordingly. A higher level of teachers will increase the general level of education in our schools.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 31st, 13:08
James Dimech: It-Teachers ghandhom f'idejhom il-futur ta wliedna u wlied uliedna ! Aktar ma jkunu mharrga, aktar jistghu jirnexxu uliedna u ulied uliedna !
Victor Caruana
Jan 31st, 17:12
Ibqa' cert James Dimech, li bhala paga ma tantx qed jiehdu mit-taxxi tieghek.
James Dimech
Jan 31st, 11:03
What about all other professionals ? Don't we all need one year off to further our knowledge ?
What rubbish. Labour is buying votes from teachers by giving them one year off ... paid from our taxes.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 31st, 11:25
Don't forget that this is an alternative to paying for their tution. I prefer it because it works well psychologically and encourages teachers to further their studies.
Michael Grech
Jan 31st, 11:38
I hope by other professionals you refer to anyone who has a job? Why a low scale employee cannot have a year off to pursue some course, etc
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 12:33
Maybe you should ask gonzi to include them in his manifesto , but ......... shot he has already published his, what a shame.
carmelo buttigieg
Jan 31st, 10:57
One can easily tell that these proposals were pondered thoroughly..Prosit
Luciano Pace Parascandalo
Jan 31st, 10:49
Can Dr. Muscat please let us when this sabbatical will be available for us Physiotherapists so i can plan to do a MAsters full time, thanks
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 31st, 11:37
Luciano....why not giving a sabbatical year even to the cleaner so he can study more about how to handle the broom stick....!!! Come on...we are talking about the people who teach our kids how to handle their future which means how to handle the future of the country
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 12:34
All in good time, vote PL and you will know.
John Farrugia
Jan 31st, 10:47
Is there any bitter life for the part timers that work 10 to 20 hours a week,where they get the rest of money for the 40 hours a week?social benefit.etc.
Emanuel Zahra
Jan 31st, 10:46
Well done Dr Muscat, that's the way forward!
P Vella
Jan 31st, 10:46
AT LAST.....thank you PL, I am an ex PN but after these horrible 5 years with us teachers getting more dumped into a horrible educational system with a lot of money being spent on useless things and us teachers being given the sides. This for sure will make me give you my number 1.
M Farrugia
Jan 31st, 11:52
Ex-Pn ehh...........or a teacher that still believes in Father Christmas........
P Vella
Jan 31st, 16:59
May you keep on believing in your father Christmas Mr. Farrugia. I guarantee you this, the shift in illiteracy and the poor results achieved in the EU in our Education System is no result to Father Christmas but to this Government who believes that new stone schools can improve our education. I face it everyday and know what I'm talking about.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 31st, 10:46
Two features emerge from the MLP "proposal" snippets so far - shortsightedness and discrimination.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st, 12:35
Please elaborate on your enlightening statement.
Daniel Zarb
Jan 31st, 12:44
Uejja Joe - int se tkellimna fuq 'shortsightedness'?
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 31st, 14:04
With pleasure Borg.
Energy Policy: a shortsighted calamity which will tie us into a purchase agreement for at least 25 years in a context where scientific discoveries are changing this world at an unprecedented rate.
Tablet: an opportunistic half backed proposal that discriminates between children.
Sabbatical: discriminating amongst professional and possibly between teachers themselves.
Peter Vella
Jan 31st, 10:43
In general the new school building programme is a means of updating the facilities and the environment which is requested by today's standards such as science, computer and food labs, sports facilities and electronic paraphenalia. In most old school buildings not even a power point is available inside a classrooms.
jimi Xerri
Jan 31st, 10:38
What about the private tuition that is being done by the same teachers who teach the students during the day and is not diclared in any way?
Same goes for the medical profession that works in hospitals and have their own private clinics or work in such. Why are people practically forced to go to these clinics, when the same can be done at Mater Dei, at no cost, but are forced to believe so?
O Formosa
Jan 31st, 10:34
There have been handfuls of teachers that were given paid study leave to further their studies! A big part of them were even awarded scholarships to pay for their tuition. Have weforgotten about that?
How about mentioning scholarships to help people further their studies or training opportunities that people can afford? It's useless having a sabattical if tuition/training expenses cannot be paid!
Joe Tabone
Jan 31st, 10:33
Can LABOUR stop playing around?!? What is in their electoral programme?? When will it be issued??
Massimo Gatt
Jan 31st, 10:47
It's quite a good tactical strategy. If you release your electoral program 2 months before the election, people will forget about most things. But this way people can take it in slowly and remember and UNDERSTAND everything. I for one don't bother to read a full booklet because its too long for me haha.
John B. Borg
Jan 31st, 11:07
You have just read a part of Labour's electoral program and if yoy follow the news you must have heard or read more about Labour's electoral plans and pledges. Don't worry Joe you shall soon have a printed program to remind you of all Labour's plans before you cast your vote. If there is anyone playing around it is Gonzipn who failed to deliver most of its 2008 promises. PN credibility below zero
sammy cassar
Jan 31st, 10:30
why only teachers? aaaa forsi m hemmx budget.
Massimo Gatt
Jan 31st, 10:45
Teachers are treated very poorly and have a measly salary for the amount of time they have spent studying. Some teachers get 850 Euros / month!
D. Tanti
Jan 31st, 12:39
@Massimo: Jekk xi ħadd jaqla' 850Euro a month sinjal li mhux fully qualified! L-ewwel paga ta' kif toħroġ mill-Universita' żgur ogħla minn hekk! Miniex ngħid li teachers għandhom xi paga ta' barra minn hawn (kif jaħsbu ħafna) - imma lanqas kif qed tgħid int - DEJJEM jekk għandek il-qualifications meħtieġa!
Maria Zahra
Jan 31st, 13:16
Teachers get 850 euros a month??? you're wrong!
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 16:10
A fully qualified teacher's income is scale 9. Have no idea what the income of scale 9 is as now I've been teaching for 10 years and I forgot what my first salary amount was! Surely mhux paga ta barra minn hawn pero!
John Cassar
Jan 31st, 10:24
A system whereby teachers could transfer between church,state and private schools without losing salary progression should have been drawn up and implemented years ago. At last its finally on someone's radar.
DC Agius
Jan 31st, 11:17
Very well said!
K Grech
Jan 31st, 11:42
yeah, there is a great difference of wage between church 6th form teachers and those at JC.
N. Agius
Jan 31st, 12:59
Finally! Moving from church to state and vice versa should have been done ages ago. Very good initiative.
Mr Joseph Azzopardi
Jan 31st, 10:22
@Angelo Vassallo, building new schools isn't the only thing that improves the level of education in the country. I'm pretty sure building new schools is not as effective in enhancing the education system as improving teacher's skills and teaching practices.
R. De Giorgo
Jan 31st, 10:20
Once again Joseph Muscat LEADS the way forward.....WELL DONE for these new proposals.
sammy cassar
Jan 31st, 10:30
proposals that will stay in the files!
K Grech
Jan 31st, 11:43
sammy are you talking about smart city? or white rocks? qoo or maybe whistleblowers act, hmm but its obvious gonzi doesn't want this act. some insider might suffer with it.
michael scicluna
Jan 31st, 12:22
Sammy Plese dont mix the usual standards we are so used to with the ones JM is proposing.
James Dewar
Jan 31st, 10:12
"To further their studies"? Will they have to produce evidence that they have achieved worthwhile results during this additional paid "holiday"? Seems rather generous and maybe another symptom of the ever spreading "electioneering"
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 31st, 11:27
Oh my God do we need to explain this too??? Its like when your employer pays you a course to improve your skills. Its obvious that he pretends results. Very simple.
Pule' Carmel
Jan 31st, 10:11
All workers should have paid sabbaticals as all workers need to improve their abilities through a lifetime.
Michael Grech
Jan 31st, 11:39
Naqbel, all workers, manual, clerical and accademic
C. Vella
Jan 31st, 10:08
My wife is a teacher in a government school. One of the biggest concerns is security and also the ongoing updates in the curriculum. Dedicated teachers spend their evenings working. My wife even on Christmas day and New Year was working so the community should respect them more. PL please put the teachers in the loop as they know the exact standard of our students and the best methods of teaching.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 10:26
Very well said! Most of us teachers are very dedicated to our students.
DC Agius
Jan 31st, 10:05
Well done!! Especially for the system for teachers to be able to easily transfer between state, private and church schools without losing salary progression. Not least the very useful and much needed campaign to promote more respect for teachers and for the status of teachers in society to improve. I'm a teacher myself and I perfectly know how these proposals are important to us.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st, 10:02
No NEW schools in the LEJBURIST programme. This contrast a lot with the Nationalist Electoral programme promising our students a NEW school per year, just as it successfully did in the last five years.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 31st, 10:14
With all respect, what is the use of having 'NEW schools' (your caps) if the teachers' working conditions are not up to scratch?
Glad that new Labour has changed its ways from old, regarding teachers. Most harm befell on the teaching profession during the Mintoff/KMB regimes.
Malcolm Seychell
Jan 31st, 10:14
With a falling birth rate you do not need new schools.......
Conrad V. Busuttil
Jan 31st, 10:14
Dear Mr Vassallo,
The PL is now focusing on what is to be achieved from the institutions rather than from the real estate.
George Camilleri
Jan 31st, 10:28
We're better off investing in PROPER education rather than just build new schools (which is important as well)
The biggest challenges teachers seem to face is the increasing number of disruptive, abusive and violent adolescents.
I think educating misguided/challenged children is a priority. You can build 10 new schools in 5 years but what happens in the classroom matters and affects the most.
A M Bonello
Jan 31st, 10:36
Those schools were not built/funded by Malta.
They were funded by the EU!
Lets wait for the next EU budget and see exactly how much will be allocated to MALTA.
Michael Grech
Jan 31st, 11:40
@Malcolm Seychell. We may have opposing ideologies, but your comment is spot on.
Antoine Psaila
Jan 31st, 11:53
L-iskejjel godda li nbnew diga qeghdin f'telqa nobis
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 31st, 10:02
"Labour would also introduce a new school maintenance programme". Did he speak about the building of new schools?
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 31st, 11:24
The building means nothing....whats inside that building that is important....and surely 1st we tackle those problems then we build new schools...
John L Galea
Jan 31st, 11:26
Is building new schools the solution to education? It's better we improve the existent ones and modernise them. We have enough schools to cater for all our children. What we need is an effective educational system and pleasant environment. The building of new schools is an empty ploy. Like SMART Ghost City it's success is not measured by the buildings that are being erected.
K Grech
Jan 31st, 11:47
you know about the Birth rate that is going down? It is important to have new schools, but stupid to let those which are already built to crumble slowly down.
Mark. Galea
Jan 31st, 09:59
Although I do not agree with Labour on most issues, on this one I agree 100%
"Labour would also remove clerical and bureaucratic duties which teachers were performing"
Schools are full with clerks doing nothing, sitting sipping tea and coffee in air condition, expecting teachers to provide lists, exam papers, etc not even a photocopy, all protected by the Head. Anybody needs to name the schools?
M Cassar
Jan 31st, 10:23
Sorry Mr Mark Galea, tpoggix il-clerks kollha f'keffa wahda. ax ahna b'ilsilna barra u nghamlu xoghol li mhux taht il- job description taghna u anqas nithallsu tieghu. tqabbilx lilna mal-haddiema li jahdmu fit-toroq. ejja flokna u isma l-problemi tal-istudenti u l-genituri u staff, u xorta trid tlahhaq mad-dead lines ta stipendji, attendenzi, ecc pjuttost li nghamlu xoghol aktar milli hu misthoqq
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 10:29
I teach in a state school, our clerks are not an example of 'spending a day doing nothing but sipping tea and coffee'.
Mark. Galea
Jan 31st, 11:56
@M Cassar & Naomi Attard Borg
You are definitely unlucky not to be in a school I know of ... AND I STAND BY MY COMMENT because it is based on REAL FACTS. You know, these clerks even put a box for teacher's sick certificates so as not to have contact with teachers returning from their sick leave !!!! Unheard of in 2013.
Naomi Attard Borg
Jan 31st, 16:04
Yes, I do consider myself lucky to be in such a school. Our clerks are very helpful. We even have their personal mob number to send them a message if we are sick, just in case school lines are busy so that we will be able to inform the department on time.
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