I have a CTP (Council for the Teaching Profession) card issued some time ago by the council to all teacher’s warrant holders. I have used this card with success to gain entrance in museums both in Malta and abroad.

Last year for example, I was allowed free admission to Madrid’s Royal Palace and other museums upon presenting this card. Only once was it not accepted and that was when I went to visit a cathedral and its museum belonging not to the State but to the Church in Toledo.

However, to my utter disappointment, here in Malta the CTP card was not accepted when I went to visit the Saluting Battery and The War HQ tunnels in Valletta entrusted to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.

Admittedly through the hard work of the trustee board and more so by the CEO and his staff, paid or otherwise, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is rightly entrusted with the preservation of public heritage and places. However, bearing mind that all their heritage sites are publicly owned and being an NGO, it should really start accepting the CTP card.

The person at the ticket counter of the Saluting Battery duly called the foundation’s secretary for instructions and then relayed to me the fact that the card is not accepted and instead asked me if I wished to become a paid member.

While I wouldn’t have left without posting a donation in the donation box at the entrance, surely a publicly owned place should recognise the CTP card.