Heads of Church schools have written to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo expressing their concern over a legal notice which provides that the minister may request and be given data on all students following education in Malta.
The legal notice is due to be debated in Parliament this evening, with the Opposition having moved a motion for its revocation.
The letter was signed by the members of the Church Schools Committee within the Private Schools Association.
The text is the following:
"Whilst acknowledging that each legislature has its own priorities in education, we ask that the concerns expressed below be considered in a broader context, and especially for the benefit of our children.
A priori, we would like to emphasise that we will continue in our efforts to abide by the standards required from us by the Education Act and to achieve the educational outcomes as stipulated in the National Curriculum Framework.
First, as Church schools, each with different charismas, we strongly believe in the need to safeguard our autonomy and particular character, and reserve the right to decide on such matters as the organisation of our schools (including the grouping of students) and the teaching of religion. Our decisions as Heads of School are based on our different realities, the specific ethos of our respective schools, and their ultimate inspiration by the Gospel.
Most of our primary schools have for a long time successfully practised mixed ability teaching. We are aware that this is a challenging responsibility for teachers and we appreciate deeply their daily efforts. At the same time, our mission is the overall wellbeing of the children within an equitable educational environment. Our past positive experience as well as the high percentage of our students who continue into post-secondary and tertiary education, favours the mixed ability system.
The handling of student data is a very sensitive issue for the students, parents and school authorities, particularly the release of sensitive data about individual students to third parties without the express authorisation of their parents.
Secondly, Heads of Church Schools are very concerned and worried about the potential implications of Legal Notice 76 and how this could impact the autonomy of our schools. The handling of student data is a very sensitive issue for the students, parents and school authorities, particularly the release of sensitive data about individual students to third parties without the express authorisation of their parents. There seem to be no apparent checks and balances about the use of the power being granted through the Legal Notice to the Minister of Education and Employment.
Thirdly, the Committee of Church Schools within the Private Schools Association, as well as individual Heads of Church Schools, have already submitted their observations and views regarding potential changes in the Education Act. We look forward to making a further contribution in a detailed response to the expected White Paper on the Education Act.
Finally, we hope that Heads of non-state schools, both Church and independent, be actively represented in any future discussions and decisions regarding the Framework of the Education Strategy for Malta 2014-2024, especially since a large percentage of students in Malta attend our schools."
The letter was signed by:
Sr Johanna Gatt ASGM, Private Schools Association Chairperson, Fr Mark Ellul, secretary, Fr Jimmy Bartolo SJ, Fr Alan Scerri OSA, Fr Silvio Bezzina MSSP, Ms Mariuccia Fenech, Ms Daniela Camilleri Sacco and Ms Mariella Vella