Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1425206
NEWS 6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 NOVEMBER 2021 LUKE VELLA EDUCATION Minister Justyne Caruana has denied there is a teacher shortage in Malta's schools. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday morning, Caruana said there are now 1,345 more teach- ers than in 2012, with a teacher for every seven students - in con- trast to a teacher for every 13 stu- dents in 2012. On the eve of the scholastic year, the teachers' union had ordered industrial action after the Education Ministry contact- ed peripatetic teachers just days before schools were to open and posting them to classrooms to plug a shortage of teachers. The MUT had issued directives to members not to follow the in- structions. The ministry had filed an in- junction against the unions, which has since been rejected by the court. The Education Minister also said that those with a "low level of education" amount to 37%, down from 55.8% in 2013. Caruana disagreed with Oppo- sition statements on the rate of early school leavers, hailing this administration's strategy as a success. The official percentage of ear- ly school leavers is at 16.7%, the highest in the EU, but due to dif- ferent criteria in the education system, Malta was allowed to re- vise the number according to its system. She said that through the revision, the rate stands at 12.6%. With regards to the laptops for teachers, Caruana said that 3,300 laptops have been distributed so far and that a new consignment is on its way. Education permanent secretary Frank Fabri recently disclosed that a tender for 7,000 laptops had been issued, but they were delayed due to an interna- tional procurement issue. PN government will increase wages for teachers – Clyde Puli Addressing the House, Nation- alist MP Clyde Puli insisted the financial incentive for teachers is lacking, and said a PN govern- ment would address the issue. "Wages for teachers are not attractive. A Nationalist gov- ernment will increase wages for teachers and will make it pay for them," he said. Caruana, in her reply, also said the Labour government will boost the wages of teachers through a new collective agree- ment, insisting it was a PN gov- ernment that froze the wages". Puli remarked how the 2013 promise of tablets for all students in years three to five, has still not been delivered. He referenced a recent survey that found that 5,000 children in Malta don't have any access to a computer, laptop or tablet to follow online classes and do their homework. He also criticised the lack of planning by the government. "In- dustrial actions are inevitable in the face of such shortcomings, and the pandemic has just been used as a pathetic excuse." Puli remarked that the ones suffering the most, are the chil- dren. He also emphasised that the last-minute changes are also stressful for teachers and dis- courages more students from choosing the profession. He also critiqued the lack of di- rection, in light of the fact that a bachelor and a Master's degree both lead to a teaching profes- sion. Puli also claimed that de- centralisation is lacking in the education sector, with teachers being told where to make their photocopies from. "This shows a lack of empowerment, trust and respect towards the educators". The MP also touched upon the Equality Law and alleged that there are those that are, "impos- ing their ideology onto the edu- cation system". He referred to the abortion debate and stated that those that have a pro-choice view should not force it onto the children's education. Children with disabilities PN deputy leader David Agius claimed that children with dis- abilities are being ignored, with some not being able to attend school in time, as they need to provide a costly report in ad- vance. Agius also touched about the Occupational Therapy services and questioned how this is only offered until the age of five. "The government needs to act profes- sionally and provide the servic- es". He also called for more training to Learning Support Educators on disabilities and for transport services to be inclusive for chil- dren with disabilities. PN MP Robert Cutajar, high- lighted the issue of obesity and said that the education sector has a primary role to play in address- ing this. "Obesity made life diffi- cult for all those that got COV- ID-19 and millions are spent on the health sector to tackle issues related to obesity". He appealed for more regular sporting activities and for the enforcement of healthy food in school. Trade schools Labour MP Oliver Scicluna said a reform is required in the educa- tion sector, which empowers the individual and improves the lives of everyone. He called for more apprenticeships and suggested that the trade schools are once again introduced with a more modern approach. "This would tackle the issue of skill gaps and such schools would cover skills that are scarce. The economy prospers on innova- tion," said Scicluna. Education Minister denies teacher shortage in Maltese schools