Updated | Safeguards to protect children 'already in force', MUT says

The Malta Union of Teachers says that provisions are already in force to ensure adequate safeguards when teachers join the profession

Teachers getting a warrant will now have to present their criminal record
Teachers getting a warrant will now have to present their criminal record

The necessary safeguards to protect children are "already in force," the Malta Union of Teachers has said.

In a statement on Monday, the MUT was reacting to the news that teachers applying for their warrant in the coming scholastic year would have to present their criminal record rather than a police conduct certificate.

The MUT said that there are currently already provisions in force which act as “safeguards upon joining the teaching profession.” The union said recruits already have to provide a valid certificate of conduct to their new employer, followed by clearance from the protection of minors registry. 

“The necessary safeguards are already in force so the MUT shall not accept that any of the said processes are repeated upon request of other entities including the Council for the Teaching Profession.”

The MUT said it would be holding a meeting with the Council for the Teaching Profession to provide its position in detail even though it has been assured that this was just a proposal being discussed in the Council and that nothing has been decided.

Earlier

Earlier on Monday, the Union of Professional Educators welcomed the move, which it said was a “measure to provide better safeguards for children.”

However, the union underscored that teachers were not the only professionals who worked with children in schools.

“The UPE insists that for the good of our children, all other professionals who work with children should also be obliged to present their criminal record instead of the police conduct certificate,” the union said.