Teachers union ‘concerned’ by possibility of university becoming ‘another ministry department’

In its reaction to last April’s consultation paper on the University of Malta, the MUT warned against the side-lining of academic priorities

Last April the government presented a consultation document on the creation of a legal framework regulating the University of Malta
Last April the government presented a consultation document on the creation of a legal framework regulating the University of Malta

The Malta Union of Teachers has voiced its concern about a proposal to establish a new governing structure within the University of Malta, over fears that this could lead to a situation where the university becomes “another department within the Ministry of Education, with academic priorities side-lined”.

In a statement reacting to a consultation paper on the proposed University Act, published last April, the MUT said it welcomed proposed improvements to the university’s funding system, as well as the government’s drive to implement specific legislation regulating the institution.

It stressed however that any changes should avoid a situation where academic staff were reduced to “functionaries who cannot take professional initiative” or where academic leaders became simple figureheads.

Moreover, is said that students should not only be prepared for short-term labour market needs at the expense of quality education.

“We have already commented on the deplorable revisions made to the laws governing the Institute for Education, which eliminated the institute's independence so that the Ministry can now appoint directly its own people to the board,” said MUT president Marco Bonnici.

“Seen in this context, one would be justified to be concerned about what seems like a very worrying drive to centralise autonomous institutions."

Furthermore, the MUT noted that a number of ad hoc stand-alone proposals the union was concerned about, and urged the government to reconsider how these proposals would work in practice.

Finally the MUT also said it was disappointed at the fact that the consultation document made no mention of the Junior College.

“The new law should emphasise the role of the Junior College as a pre-tertiary institution and as an academic institution of excellence, rather than just merely as a post-secondary institution,” said the union.  

‘The MUT also suggests changes in the governing structures of the College, such that its status would be considered institutionally and administratively as the equivalent of a University Faculty.”

This, it said, would mean that the Principal would be the equivalent of a Faculty Dean with status and membership to all bodies as all other University Faculty Deans.