The Ministry of Education wants legal action to be taken against an individual who assaulted a teacher at Verdala school in Cospicua this morning.

Both the Education Ministry and the MUT seemed reluctant to issue information about the incident.

The ministry, after being contacted, referred to a four-line statement saying "officials" had been assaulted at a state school, but did not even say which school. Nor did it say how many people were involved and if anybody was hurt.

The officials were given "the necessary support" and a police report was filed, the ministry said.

It deplored the incident and asked the authorities to take legal action against the individual concerned.

Sources said a teacher was assaulted by a parent and suffered slight injuries. The teacher was promptly assisted by other members of staff. 

Frank Fabri, the permanent secretary at the ministry, said he had directed the management of the school and the college it forms part of to ensure there was zero risk against teachers. 

The Malta Union Of Teachers initially refused to issue any information, saying it would comment later in the day.

It later said it condemned the aggression against a teacher and other educators.

This situation was unacceptable and symptomatic of a the situation faced by teachers as they went about their duties, it said.

Instead of being helped to address their difficulties, teachers faced a situation where some parents, instead of cooperating in the interests of their children, blamed the teachers and the school for shortcomings suffered by their children.

The union renewed appeals for improved security and called for action by the Ministry of Education. 

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