The school that employed supply drama teacher Erin Tanti, who survived the cliff fall tragedy that claimed the life of his 15-year-old student, had the approval of the education authorities.
A spokesman for St Michael’s Foundation said the Education Regulatory Compliance Section, that regulates non-State schools, approved Mr Tanti’s employment and he was in the process of obtaining a warrant.
The approval, seen by Times of Malta, read: “Your notification re the employment of Erin Tanti is hereby acknowledged.
“The Education Regulatory Compliance Section of the QAD [Quality Assurance Department] is satisfied that Mr Tanti has the necessary qualifications to act as teacher of drama in the secondary sector with effect from November 22, 2013”.
The school was nudged into producing this proof of legitimacy of employment after, on Thursday, the Council for the Teaching Profession said Mr Tanti did not have a temporary warrant and had not even applied for one.
This gave rise to concern among parents of students who attend the school, with some telling this newspaper they wanted reassurances from the school that teachers went through a thorough screening process.
Several parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, agreed that the incident that put the spotlight on the school – involving Mr Tanti and student Lisa Marie Zahra – was “an unfortunate one that could have happened anywhere else”.
However, they wanted reassurances, especially after the council said that Mr Tanti, who is facing police interrogation over the death of Ms Zahra at Dingli Cliffs, did not have a temporary warrant, as requested by law, to teach there as a supply teacher.
The council’s declaration on Mr Tanti’s warrant seemed to contradict the school’s statement, made a day earlier, that “all teachers have the necessary approvals from the authorities”.
Education Minister Evarist Bartolo wrote to the council and to his ministry’s permanent secretary pointing out action must be taken to ensure that everyone who taught in schools, including supply teachers, had a warrant, as demanded by law, even if temporary.
Parents said the school had sent a letter informing them that it conformed to regulations when recruiting teachers.
“I’m sorry it happened. This is a good school.
“But a letter is not enough. They should call a meeting with parents so we can express our concerns and they can reassure us they are stepping up the screening process,” said a mother whose daughter attends the school. Another suggested that when the school did its checks it should place more emphasis on social media like Facebook.
One parent acknowledged that it was not only the school that had failed because she had never “Facebooked” teachers either.
“I can’t say I’m worried for my children after what happened. I think this was a random event and the school cannot be blamed,” she said.
Mr Tanti and Ms Zahra were found at the foot of Dingli Cliffs on March 19 after they had been reported missing.
Mr Tanti was airlifted to Mater Dei Hospital where he was admitted to intensive care.
He has since been released and is being psychologically evaluated.
Ms Zahra was not so lucky and she was dead by the time help arrived. Her funeral was held yesterday.