An inquiry set up two months ago to investigate claims of administrative wrongdoing at Mcast has been inundated with reports by lecturers and other staff members claiming “bullying tactics” and “injustices” by the head of the Human Resources Department, currently suspended from her job.
The inquiry, being conducted by financial investment consultant Paul Bonello, was launched following a change of administration at Mcast.
Mcast sources confirmed that the recent resignation of a senior manager at the same department had nothing to do with the ongoing inquiry and the former manager was not involved in any of the allegations being probed by the board of inquiry or the police.
In June, former chairman Silvio Debono – a close collaborator of Education Minister Evarist Bartolo – resigned from the post.
A new CEO, former permanent secretary James Calleja, was also appointed, replacing Stephen Cachia who was given a new senior position at the Education Ministry.
“As soon as a new administration was installed at the college, we had a flood of complaints by staff members all pointing towards the HR director,” the sources said.
“Claims of bullying, undeserved promotions, politically motivated recruitment backed by the former college’s administration and other administrative wrongdoings were made, even in writing, to the new college administrators,” the source said.
“At that stage, the ministry had to be informed and an inquiry was started,” the sources added.
Claimed abuses of an administrative nature were made specifically against the HR director and the former college’s top brass, who were seen as backing her, by various members of the Mcast staff.
These claims, which are significantly high in number and of an identical nature, are being probed by Mr Bonello.
More serious claims of abuse, which include sexual harassment by a member of staff on another lecturer in a programme for students with special needs, have been passed on to the police for criminal investigation.
The alleged sexual harassment took place during a live-in session of the programme outside the college.
Although the claimed abuse happened in 2013, it was only reported in 2017.
While the police are investigating the nature of the alleged harassment, the Mcast probe is looking into claims that despite a report made on the allegations, the then Mcast administration did not implement the disciplinary action as recommended.
When contacted, former Mcast chairman Silvio De Bono confirmed that he knew about the claims and that an investigation was held and a report finalised. “I had passed on the report to then CEO Stephen Cachia for its implementation,” Mr De Bono said.
He also confirmed that at the time, the Education Ministry was also given a copy of the report.
So far, the HR director is still suspended from the college and a temporary head has filled her place.
The HR director is denying the claims made against her and is insisting that she always abided by the directions given by her superiors.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com