Teachers in State secondary schools are not too concerned about the co-education system as such but are concerned about the introduction of middle schools that will come with the change, teachers’ union president Kevin Bonello said.
Before taking such important decisions, the government should at least speak to teachers, listen to them and explain
As from next scholastic year all State schools, starting from Form 1, will become co-ed and the middle school concept will be introduced – meaning that Forms 1 and 2 will be separated from the higher Forms.
Mr Bonello said this meant that some teachers might have to move school. But they were kept in the dark over how this would affect them.
He agreed with the reasoning of St Claire’s College principal, Maria Ciappara, who said teachers need not worry about having mixed gender classes as nothing much changed in the classroom.
He insisted that the union agreed with the concept of co-ed but disagreed with the way it was being rolled out across State schools.
The pilot project at St Claire’s College – where co-ed and middle school were introduced four months ago – had not even been completed and analysed, he said. Yet, last week, government announced all State schools will become co-ed next scholastic year.
While heads of schools were consulted about the co-ed roll-out, Mr Bonello said, teachers were not and many had lots of questions.
“We recommend that, before taking such important decisions, government should at least speak to teachers, listen to them and explain,” he said.
It was for these reasons, he added, that the union decided to pull out of the co-ed national committee on Friday.
“The committee was set up to give advice on the introduction of co-education. But the decision has been taken, making the union’s position there untenable and pointless,” he said, adding that the union would still share its views but not as part of the committee.
An Education Ministry spokesman said discussions with the union had taken place and would continue in the coming days.
“The MUT will also be invited to join a working group which will monitor the implementation of the co-ed policy,” the spokesman said.
Nationalist Party education spokesman Joe Cassar questioned the grounds on which the government based its decisions to introduce co-ed and middle schools at this point, given that the pilot project was still ongoing.
He also questioned on what grounds it was decided that, in some schools, the middle school would be based in the same building, while in others not.
Dr Cassar said it was important to consult all stakeholders, including teachers, before implementing such a change.
He reminded Education Minister Evarist Bartolo that, when he was in Opposition, he criticised the Nationalist government for implementing too many changes that were leading to teachers suffering from reform fatigue – and was now introducing two reforms.