The article ‘Leadership that matters’ (March 13) by Christopher Bezzina was an excellent critical analysis of what all members of Malta’s educational institutions should practise. The combined theme of leadership and instruction implies not only a rare personal attribute but also the strategic techniques of teaching others. This combination is of much relevance to heads of schools and their staff.
Unfortunately Bezzina overlooked one basic value so essential in Malta, and that is parochialism. I lived through this myself both as a pupil and then as a teacher at the Floriana primary school under the headship of Emmanuel Tonna, known affectionately as Lolly. Surprisingly, his initiatives and reforms were recorded at the worst time of history: wartime Malta, the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Lolly set out to enlist qualified teachers born in the suburb. He believed that their enthusiasm, responsibility and addiction to duty excelled over transitory staff. His reforms stretched from the normal classroom teaching experiences to outdoor activities.
They ranged from hectic sports games to gymnastics, from theatrical performances to gardening. He also encouraged open classrooms at the Argotti Botanic Gardens. One extant memorial was the construction of the spacious hall used for various functions including parental meetings, school assemblies, school plays and even dancing.
He knew every child by his first name and the social conditions and deprivations of every family. He established obligatory uniforms, health inspections and sanitary conditions. He supervised behaviour even outside school.
He encouraged maximum effort and dedication. The Green spirit set high achievements in football teams ending victorious in competitions and emerging winners in athletics on Empire Day at the Gzira Stadium. Above all, he made the Floriana premises a model school.
As an author he left a legacy of three historical books, reminiscences of Floriana’s past and all its treasures. His leadership was centred on other Floriana entities including the football club, civic committee and the Playing Fields Association.
He perpetuated the school name by setting up the Floriana School Old Boys Association.
His Green enthusiasm included all that Christopher Bezzina so intelligently discussed. The leadership of Lolly Tonna contained a passionate vision that enhanced andelevated the young generation of Floriana.