(Adds ministry's reaction)

The Malta Union of Teachers has declared an industrial dispute with the government and reserved the right to take all actions permitted by law after a head teacher of a large government school was transferred to a smaller one.

The union said in a statement that the head teacher was appointed following a specific call for applications for that particular school - as is normal practice for schools of that size - and the headteacher therefore could not be transferred to a smaller school.

This was unjust, inhumane and disparaging treatment towards this person.

The union felt the incident was such a serious precedent and unacceptable.

In a reply, the Education Ministry said the union once again saw it fit to declare an industrial dispute without any form of consultation or discussion beforehand.

"MUT is fully aware that the deployment of staff, including heads of school, is a management prerogative.

"Management places staff according to the exigencies and needs of the students and school communities concerned," it said

The ministry said that the head referred to had the experience to be able to lead the new school he was assigned to. It was also healthy that after a number of years managing and leading a school, heads were given a new challenge.

The experience gained in one school would be an asset in the management of another.

The ministry said the MUT was fully aware that when a head of School was selected he could be deployed in either the primary or secondary sector.

All schools had their challenges and leading one of 500 deserved strong leadership, as did one of 800.

It said that the head's move to a school with a smaller population would not impinge on the conditions of the employee concerned.