Malta Union of Teachers’ president Kevin Bonello. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Counselling rooms in schools should be equipped with CCTV cameras without sound to safeguard students’ wellbeing while at the same time protecting teachers from unfounded claims of sexual abuse, according the teachers’ union.

As a rule teachers are advised not to be alone with a student but this is not possible when it comes to counselling or guidance sessions.

For this reason, Malta Union of Teachers’ president Kevin Bonello said the union was suggesting installing cameras that do not allow sound recording – to respect the confidentiality of the student opening up about personal issues.

This will be among the proposals the union will submit to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo this week.

The proposals, aimed at tackling internal procedures within schools to safeguard educators, will also be sent to the Church authorities and the Private Schools’ Association.

In August a 46-year-old man from Siġġiewi – an assistant principal and treasurer of the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM) – was accused in court of sexually molesting a 10-year-old student.

The police said he was playfully lifting the boy out of the sea and held him tightly against his body, including the genital region, during a swimming trip where other teachers and students were present. The teacher is denying the charges.

After his arraignment the MUT issued a strongly-worded statement expressing concern about the way police go about such cases. It said that, once an allegation reached the police, it appeared no investigation was carried out and the defendant was prosecuted immediately.

The MUT stressed that while anyone found guilty of such offences should face the consequences and be included on the child offenders’ register, one could not ignore the fact that allegations of abuse could be used maliciously by students or their parents to harm particular individuals.

Mr Bonello said that, following the August arraignment of the teacher, many teachers contacted the union asking if they should “risk” taking students on outings.

These concerns were discussed during a series of meetings between union officials, Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit, the Education Minister, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and Justice Minister Owen Bonnici. The MUT said they agreed on having clearer guidelines for all police officers on how to handle cases of alleged abuse.

No prosecution should take place before a proper preliminary investigation was carried out and the police inspector investigating a case of abuse should consult with experts, such as Vice Squad officers and the Attorney General, before proceeding.

When asked about current procedure, a police spokesman said in-depth interviews were carried out with the complainant before suspects were called in for questioning.

“If it is a case of one’s word against another, during the interrogation the consistency, veracity, the demeanour, the nature of replies given, substance of language used, all help to determine the direction the investigations should take. There is no case like another, therefore, one cannot generalise on what course the investigation takes,” the spokesman said.

By law police must either charge or release a suspect within 48 hours of arrest, and arraignment “takes place only when the investigative officer deems that there is enough evidence for the case to stand up in a court of law”, the spokesman said.