The introduction of the co-education system in schools will contribute to the fact that in the upcoming scholastic year, Gozitan teachers would have to leave Gozo before 6am and arrive back at 6pm, if they use public transport to travel.  Should they opt for a mini bus service to travel from Cirkewwa to their workplace and back, they would have to fork out almost €300 a month. This is because, the co-education system will mean that finishing times for schools will vary widely, and teachers would find it extremely difficult to co-ordinate time slots to organise mini bus service as a group.

In the past week, a group of Gozitan teachers took it to social media to express their disappointment about the transport situation for Gozitans who work in Malta and live in Gozo, saying that over the years the situation has only worsened. One teacher even went so far as saying that Gozitan people have ended up being the ‘slaves of society’. Most did insist however, that the issue is not political, because the situation has been bad for years, irrespective of which political party administered.

In comments to The Malta Independent, one teacher said that Gozitans commuting to Malta for work face a number of challenges each day. Because it is expensive to commute to Malta by car on a daily basis, a group of teachers working at different schools in Malta got together to organise mini bus service to travel from Cirkewwa to schools in the morning, and vice versa in the evening. Up till recently, each teacher paid a maximum of €15 a week for the service, an amount he deemed reasonable.

The situation today has however changed. Because the co-education system is now introducing a number of middle schools, finishing time for schools vary, and the same groups are finding it difficult to co-ordinate time slots for the mini bus service. “Only six of us managed to co-ordinate time slots, and the mini bus service asked us to pay €70 each per week, which is appalling – that amount results in a substantial amount of our salary per month.”

Should the teachers opt to use the public transport service, they would have to leave the house before 6am and end up at 6pm, at the earliest, depending on traffic conditions and bus frequency. Often at times, buses do not arrive on time, and this might result in Gozitans having to catch the next ferry – half an hour later.

Furthermore, Gozitans catching the ferry to work in the morning face a parking problem at Mgarr Gozo. Parking spaces are not properly marked in the area, apart from the fact there is lack of spaces. Often at times, Gozitans almost expect scratches and bumps on their cars. One man said it has become routine to take his car to the sprayer each year.

In comments to this newspaper another teacher said that the transport department should organise mini bus services with subsidised prices. “We are not expecting free transport, but at least a service with a reasonable price.” He added that head of departments, who travel only once a week are offered free mini bus services, however they are the only ones that are. “Just this week, the Gozitan minister promised work for all Gozitans in Gozo – I know that is impossible, especially for us teachers, and we’re not even expecting that. But at least, they should assist us in travelling to work in Malta, because the situation has now become frustrating. Teachers arriving home at six in the evening still need to prepare and correct for the following day.”

It is fair to note that such challenges are faced by all Gozitans working in Malta and not just teachers. In the past, Gozitans studying in Malta have also called for more efficient transport services.