Teacher shortage in Maths and Maltese leads to heavier workload and union directives

Teachers burdened with heavy workloads because of a shortage of staff have been ordered not to attend subject meetings and shun school development plans by their union.

The Union of Professional Educators, an affiliate of the UĦM, issued the directives to teachers “suffering this injustice”.

The UPE said teachers should not attend subject meetings, not get involved in school development plans and refuse to be assigned posts of special duties.

Graham Sansone, UPE executive head

Graham Sansone, UPE executive head, said that the Education Ministry had ignored pleas to address the disproportionate burden some teachers had to face, insisting these were exceptional circumstances brought about by a shortage of staff.

According to the sectoral agreement for teachers, the maximum number of lessons per educator would be 25 a week and this in exceptional cases arising out of timetable exigencies.

UPE said it was approached by teachers, mostly those who taught Maltese and Maths, who were taking on a heavier burden.

Sansone said the ministry was unwilling to offer any solution or compensation to the affected teachers, which prompted the industrial action.