Teachers' union speaks out against proposal for earlier school starting times

In a reaction to the launch of the white paper on schools' role in alleviating traffic congestion, the Malta Union of Teachers has expressed its disappointment at the government's suggestion that the main solution to reduce traffic congestion from Maltese roads lies with changing schedules for students.

"First of all the Union would like to point out to the Government that most State Schools are already receiving students an hour before the official opening time, and in spite of these arrangements the congestion remained unchanged,' the union said in a press statement.

"Also, many schools, including all Church and Independent schools, have different opening times."

It pointed out that during the summer recess, the congestion on Maltese roads experienced little positive change and rush hour still sees heavy traffic on a daily basis.

The MUT appealed to the authorities to conduct a properly comprehensive exercise that can determine more accurately substantial solutions to this perennial problem.

The union drew attention to other issues impacting traffic, namely the lack of trust in public transport; on the logic behind certain traffic lights and zebra crosses; on the lack of pedestrian underground/overhead passages; on the hopeless planning of exits on main roads; on the outright lack of skills many drivers show on the road which results in accidents and even more congestion; on the lack of moratoriums on heavy vehicles, waste collections and road repairs; and on dangers related to horses and horse-driven cabs, which slow traffic down considerably.

"Such a list is certainly non-exhaustive but shows that if the Government is really willing to find solutions to this multi-faceted problem it should not just deflect it onto schools and onto its students."

The MUT expressed its adamant disagreement with forcing students to leaves home earlier than necessary, as well as forcing its members to supervise students on buses, with the exception of transport for children with special needs which is already in force.

"The Union agrees with the Government that there should be feasible solutions for students to start using public transport, which would present solutions on various levels including bullying, time management and traffic."

The union also called for an investigation into the current contract for State Schools school transport, to determine whether it was done in an appropriate manner given that it was signed before the last general election and tied the hands of the Education Directorate for seven years.