Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538870
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 AUGUST 2025 NEWS University of Malta says PGCE remains valid despite past errors THE University of Malta has affirmed graduates of the Post- graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) remain fully qualified to teach, despite past errors in clas- sification. "The University reaffirms that all PGCE graduates have received rigorous training and are fully qualified to teach within their re- spective subject areas," the state- ment said. This comes after the Commis- sioner for Education within the Ombudsman's Office found that the University "mistakenly" clas- sified an undergraduate qualifi- cation as a postgraduate one for students who graduated between 2010 and 2013. For decades, graduates holding a first degree were offered the chance to take a one-year PGCE course designed to give them the necessary pedagogical skills to teach a specific subject. On suc- cessful completion, they became eligible for a teacher's warrant, which remains valid today. The University explained that students in the PGCE were reg- istered for study-units at the first-degree level. The title of Postgraduate Certificate in Ed- ucation was used because the course was only open to those who already held a first degree. Between 2010 and 2013, the term "second cycle" was mistak- enly included in the Diploma Supplement. However, the same document also showed that the study units were delivered at the first-cycle level. For this reason, the University said, the PGCE cannot be considered a level 7 qualification. The Commissioner for Educa- tion confirmed this in his deci- sion. To support PGCE holders who wish to continue their studies, the University will be launching a top-up programme, which is set to begin once approved by the University Senate. The University said it regrets the documentation error and has asked its independent Audit and Risk Committee to investi- gate the cause of the error and recommend ways to reduce risks and strengthen quality assurance processes. The statement stressed that the University remains committed to high academic standards and the value of its awards. It described any suggestion that questions the integrity of the PGCE or undermines graduates' professional standing as "deplor- able", adding that such claims only serve to mislead the public about the competence of teach- ers who completed the course. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt University of Malta (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Environmental NGOs say Planning Board election is 'compromised', urge halt to process A number of environmental NGOs have called for the sus- pension of an upcoming election to appoint their representative on the Planning Authority (PA) Board, claiming the process has been "seriously compromised." The online vote, scheduled for September 25 and 26, will de- termine who represents eNGOs on the board. The controversy stems from the appointment of architect Jorge Spiteri earlier this summer, which the NGOs argue was illegal. On July 18, the term of outgo- ing representative Romano Cas- sar expired. Instead of allowing the NGOs to select their own nominee, as required by law, the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) directly nomi- nated Spiteri, who was immedi- ately installed on the PA Board. The NGOs said they had made clear from the start that they wished to re-appoint Cassar for a second term, and urged Spiteri to step aside. Despite their objections, Spi- teri remains in the role and is now standing for election to the position against Cassar. The environmental groups ar- gue that Spiteri's candidacy is marred by conflicts of interest. He currently serves as deputy chair of the MCVS, the very body overseeing the election process, and also works with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. Accord- ing to the NGOs, this makes it impossible for him to represent their interests independently. "Having Mr. Spiteri as the eN- GO representative on the PA Board borders on the surreal," the groups said in a joint state- ment. "As an employee of the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Mr. Spiteri can never freely and genuinely represent the interests of the environmental organisa- tions." The NGOs reiterated their call for Spiteri to resign from the board and withdraw his nomi- nation. The statement was endorsed by the Ramblers' Association of Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, BirdLife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Na- ture Trust Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Wirt Għawdex, and Għawdix. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday