Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1037099
26 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 OCTOBER 2018 LAST week there was a case where a young student, from a particular secondary school in Malta, went missing and even slept two nights outside. His Learning Support Educa- tor (LSE) joined the Police in looking for this student, and in the end he was located safe and sound. That LSE had no obligation to do so. She could have gone home and thought nothing of it. But she felt the moral duty to aid and I'm told she was very helpful because she knew the student closely, since they spend time in class. There are many unsung heroes like this educator. This is just one example of many others who, quietly and without pomp, do amaz- ing things every single day. People who work in schools have the responsibility of tomorrow's generation and I cannot stress enough how big a responsibility this is. It is not simply a matter of learn- ing equations or literature, it is also about developing im- portant things such as values and a moral compass. It is very hard being an educator today. The lack of respect from students, and un- fortunately, parents, the differ- ing backgrounds of students, differing abilities in the same class and many others are all contributing factors. There's also a lot of unseen work, especially lesson preparation, which people don't realise how important and crucial it is. The social realities, al- ways more complicated and difficult, all find a home in school, and specifically in the classroom. Educators also have to face this, and it is by no means simple. One has to acknowledge that more can be done here, on various levels especially in the social sphere. Schools need social support and pastoral care as much as they need mathematics, sci- ence and all the other subjects. Over the past days social media erupted with stupid remarks against teachers and educators, about how good they supposedly have it. This is completely unacceptable and I will fight tooth and nail against this kind of talk and attitude against our educators. Educators in schools deserve our support and understand- ing, and parents should be the first to do this. It takes a community to raise a child and parents must pull the same rope with those who are doing a lot of work and sacrifices to teach and educate their children. But us understanding teach- ers' concerns is not enough, especially from the side of policymakers. Over the past five years we've reached many important targets but it is not enough. The road is still a long one and I, for one, pledge to spend more time in schools to listen to educators and students so we can build a way forward together. We can only do this together – educators, parents, key stakeholders, students and the country at large. This is indeed a profession, and a vocation. A profession and a vocation Social realities, always more complicated and difficult, all find a home in school, and specifically in the classroom Evarist Bartolo Evarist Bartolo is minister for education and employment Bank of Valletta has always been a pioneer in the banking sector. Today, the Group is the leading financial services provider in Malta, offering a broad spectrum of financial services through dedicated touch points. In order to further improve our service to our customers, we have invested in a new Premium Banking Centre, focusing on giving Corporate Finance and Wealth Management customers a more personalised service, according to their needs. Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1130 new BOV Premium Banking Centre Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is a public limited company regulated by the MFSA and is licensed to carry out the business of banking and investment services in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta) and the Investment Services Act (Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta). 2131 2020 I bov.com