Students miss day of school because of teachers’ meeting

The other half lost a day of school on Friday, 31 October.

A spokesperson for the Education Ministry justified the organisation of a seminar on a school day insisting “this was a one-off seminar of vital importance”.

Parents who contacted this newspaper complained that this extra holiday meant that they had to make arrangements to find someone to take care of their children.

“In a world where both parents are expected to work, extra holidays mean a greater headache for parents who have to find someone to take care of the children,” a parent told MaltaToday.

Parents complained that they already have to cope with finding someone to stay with the children during the November mid-term holidays.   

While recognising the importance of meetings for teachers, parents pointed out that it would have made more sense to hold the meeting during the mid-term holidays between 1 and 3 November to avoid the loss of another school day.

But a spokesperson for the Education Minister made it clear that this is not possible because an agreement between the government and MUT stipulates that mid-term holidays fall between 1 and 3 November.

“The best time slots available for teachers to convene together as a College were the 31 October and 4 November”.

MUT President Kevin Bonello also excluded holding these meetings during mid-term holidays.

“You cannot force teachers or anyone else to work on their off days”.

Bonello agreed with the Directorate’s decision to hold these seminars in the same week as the mid term holidays.

“This was ideal because the week was already broken down by the mid-term holidays.  Since many teachers plan lessons over a weekly basis, this made a lot of sense”.

Bonello was surprised by the parents’ reaction, explaining that teachers dedicate a day each term for similar meetings organised at school level.

“The only difference is that this time round the meeting was held at a college instead of school level”.

The Ministry spokesperson explained that presently, all State schools are participating in the consultation process on the National Curriculum Framework. 

Schools have been divided into two sessions, held on the two days to discuss this important development.

“The process of consultation is crucial for the successful updating of the National Curriculum Framework”.

According to the Department, the consultation strategy has been designed with the aim of enabling a wide ranging and “authentic discussion and debate” to enable all stakeholders to participate in the formulation of the final version.