Updated Sunday at 8.30am with ministry clarifications
More than 56,000 students and 9,600 educators will be returning to school on Monday, the Education Ministry said, adding that this scholastic year will see an additional 600 teachers and 200 learning support assistants
The ministry said that 9,382 students will be attending kindergarten, 26,173 primary school and 20,802, middle and secondary classes.
Fourth year students will benefit from the one tablet per child initiative with the number of tablets to be distributed this scholastic year being 4,432. Another 4,387 tablets were distributed last year.
A total 511 teachers and LSAs were trained for the purpose and the tablet will this year include three new apps.
More schools equipped with the best infrastructure and technology were being built and the Visual and Performing Arts School will open its doors with an innovative concept this scholastic year enabling students to specialise in drama, music, dance and media.
Respect educators' intelligence and give the correct information, MUT tells ministry
In a statement this afternoon, the Malta Union of Teachers said that although it was being said there were 600 new teachers, only some 200 attended induction meetings organised by the ministry.It said that just over 100 teachers were graduating this year and there was no doubt that not all had opted to take up
It said that just over 100 teachers were graduating this year and there was no doubt that not all had opted to take up teaching since the profession was no longer attracting young people.
Had there really been 600 new teachers, promoted teachers would not have been made to continue teaching because they could not be replaced.
Moreover, groups of students following different syllabi would not have been placed in the same class and teachers would not have been given the maximum load not allowing them space to contribute in different means to the students’ formative education.
Retired teachers would not have been asked to return to work because of a shortage of teachers and teachers who were going to be placed elsewhere would not have been recalled in classes.
The MUT noted that there was still a substantial shortage of teachers in several schools and centres. There was also a substantial shortage of LSA including at Resource Centres.
It appealed for the correct information that respected the educators’ intelligence and their work to make up for the serious shortcomings teachers were facing.
Ministry clarifications
In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said there were 155 new teachers, 162 who had renewed their role with a definite contract and 47 who were employed on an indefinite contract after having held a definite one.
The ministry said it also had around another 600 teachers in post-secondary and other entities, including voluntary ones.