Educators should not be put in a position where they need to prove that they are not sex offenders, according to the Malta Union of Teachers and the Lisa Maria Foundation.

In a joint statement, the union and the foundation appealed to legislators to reform the sex offenders’ register system so that employers and organisations that worked with children were allowed “easy and free access” to this register.

They agreed with any measures that would help protect all minors from people who could harm them.

Earlier this month, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo unveiled the White Paper entitled ‘Effective recruitment and selection procedures for people working with minors’.

It is of paramount importance to preserve the integrity and reputation of these professions

The 17 proposals, based on recommendations by the foundation, were opened for public consultation.

Proposals made by the ministry included that those applying for teaching posts may have to produce certificates proving they were not registered sex offenders.

The foundation said its proposals were never aimed at placing the onus on the educator but on making the register more accessible since, at the moment, it was very restricted.

The union and the foundation said any measures should cover all adults working with minors.

The two bodies agreed that the vast majority of educators and professionals working with children were “an overwhelmingly positive influence in the lives of our children”.

“Therefore, it is of paramount importance to preserve the integrity and reputation of these professions from rogue individuals whose actions may lead to undermining all the positive work done by educators,” they said.

The foundation was set up by the relatives of 15-year-old Lisa Maria Zahra after she was found dead at Dingli cliffs last year. Her former teacher, Erin Tanti, is facing charges of murder, assisted suicide, defilement of a minor, being in possession of indecent images of a minor and abusing a position of trust.