The Malta Union of Teachers has rejected arguments by a Professor of Education at the University of Nottingham that school hours in Malta are short and are a factor in the ailments of the local education system.
Prof Roger Murphy in comments last Sunday ( see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110619/education/-No-improvement-in-Malta-s-education-challenges-.371237 ) said that Short school hours, undue emphasis on academic knowledge and lack of professional development training for teachers seem to be the major shortcomings in the Maltese education system.
The union insisted that schooling hours in Malta largely correspond to those of the rest of Europe.
"The present school opening times have been agreed to by both the Government and the Union in the last agreement, signed in August 2010. Moreover, there is absolutely no basis from an educational perspective for the claim that an increase in schooling hours would result in improved student attainment or retention rates for higher and further education. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that smaller classes do help in securing better prospects for students through enhanced attainment in complex subjects and in character formation."
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The union also said that the claim that there is little provision for professional development for teachers is 'far removed from the truth'.
"Professional development requirements are clearly established in the education sector agreement for at least the last two decades," it stressed.
It said it would have expected Prof Murphy to urge the local education authorities to promote scientific research in order to glean accurate insights for improvement rather than resorting to 'overrated clichés'.
It said it had taken the initiative to commission scientific research into the impact of the State College System since the education authorities did not deign themselves to do so or had kept the findings of such a study under wraps.
"More importantly, the Union expects active consultation processes from the same authorities who deemed fit to engage Prof Murphy's services, most probably at no small expense to taxpayers. The authorities may rest assured that the Union would have provided sound and practical advice backed up by the vast experience of its members completely gratis," the MUT said.