An inquiry set up by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo is looking into allegations of serious abuse at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology including possible sexual abuse.
Sources close to the Education Ministry confirmed that a board of inquiry was set up last month following serious allegations made by a senior member of the college administration. The claims say that top members of Mcast’s administration “closed their eyes” to reports of sexual abuse inside the college.
It is not yet known whether the case involved students, members of the teaching and administration staff or both.
Claims of abuse which could also lead to criminal action were also made with regard to administrative and politically motivated decisions, particularly on re-cruitment and promotions at the college.
As a result of the allegations, a senior member of the college’s administration has been forced out on leave “until the board establishes the veracity of the allegations made and decide which action is to be taken”.
Times of Malta is informed that the allegations of abuse, both of a sexual and administrative nature, had been made directly to the Education Minister.
Board of inquiry to look into allegations of administrative and operational aspects
Asked yesterday to confirm whether a senior member of the Mcast staff had been forced out on leave and to confirm that the claims made involved sexual harassment, the Education Ministry said the “ministry has nothing to add to its statement and awaits outcomes from the respective authorities” .
In a short statement last month, the Education Ministry said it had referred to the police allegations “of a criminal nature” for further investigations made “by a senior member of staff”.
The Education Ministry had also announced the appointment of a board of inquiry, headed by financial investment consultant Paul Bonello, to look into allegations of “administrative and operational aspects” at Mcast received by the ministry.
According to the government’s statement, the board, which is expected to conclude its investigations by the end of September, was requested to examine the allegations and the individuals that may be involved and investigate any other irregularity brought to the attention of the board in the course of the inquiry.
The terms of reference also require the board to establish and report on any incorrect and/or irregular behaviour and/or prima facie illegal/criminal conduct determined during the inquiry and make any recommendation deemed necessary.
The start of the investigation came shortly after a change at the helm of the college made by the ministry just a few weeks earlier.
On June 1, Silvio De Bono, a close collaborator of Mr Bartolo, had resigned his post as chairman of Mcast and was replaced by Fredrick Schembri.
Apart from his chairmanship, Mr De Bono also served as a consultant to Mr Bartolo and was the recipient of various direct orders from the same ministry either through his private consultancy firm IDEA or on a personal basis.
Last March, this newspaper reported that during the last semester of 2017, Mr De Bono received two direct orders from the Education Ministry, worth over €50,000 and related to “change management projects”. No other details were given.
Earlier this month, the Malta Union of Teachers objected to the “sudden appointment” of a senior member of the Mcast staff to act as an Ombudsman for the same college.
The MUT directed its members not to collaborate with the new office as its appointment was deemed as lacking any independence and legal standing.