Pullicino insists minister shut down LSA statementing panel

Education minister Evarist Bartolo did in fact dismantle one of two statementing moderating panels that deals with LSA provision to students, Opposition MP George Pullicino has insisted.

“Bartolo is incorrect in stating that the second board was dismantled in December 2012, and had indeed continued holding meetings until the eve of the 2013 general election,” Pullicino said in a statement. “It’s a real shame that Bartolo is inventing stuff up to conceal his own wrong decisions, decisions that teachers, children who require LSAs, and their parents are suffering from.”

Bartolo had earlier claimed that the second statementing panel, which was set up in February 2012 was dismantled by 15 December 2012, despite the waiting list for LSAs reaching 1,173 during that year.

Accusing Pullicino of “spouting out partisan nonsense”, the minister also pledged to reinstate the panel.

“Bartolo has now decided to reinstate the very board that he had dismantled himself after the general election,” Pullicino retorted. “Whenever the Opposition reveals the government’s mistakes, the ministers launch personal attacks against the PN spokespersons and try and pin the blame on the previous administration.”