Discussions between the Malta Union of Teachers and the Ministry of Education on the current crisis hitting the educational sector have proved to be fruitful with MUT President Kevin Bonello telling The Malta Independent that initial talks were a starting point which shows that progress is possible and that they agree on certain issues in principle

On the agenda, which will be discussed in the coming weeks, he said were a number of things namely the requirements of teachers and educators, discipline in schools, and using teachers who teach English as a foreign language as an untapped resource.

In the press conference on Monday, The Malta Union of Teachers said that the teaching profession is facing a huge crisis as the working conditions and lack of support are pushing teachers away and leading to worrying staff shortfalls.

When asked earlier about the insufficient wage teachers receive Mr Bonello explained that it is the Malta Public Service system, which covers all the professions under the government, deals with salaries.

“Unfortunately, the problem is that we are subject to a grade system which is very inflexible” he said.

Mr Bonello went on to say that the situation was more complex than an issue regarding wages only.

“I think it would be irresponsible of me to give an amount, teachers should at least be provided compensation for the resources they purchase daily with their own money”

He also said that teachers should be provided greater flexibility in their teaching methods, believing that teachers are far too controlled by the rigid curriculum.

He also mentioned that the union is currently negotiating a new collective agreement with the public service which will help provide better working conditions for teachers.

“This presents a difficult situation because the civil service deals with thousands of people” Mr Bonello said

There is also a severe problem in the working conditions of teachers; “Every teacher is over-worked, if one falls sick, there is no replacement” Mr Bonello said.

Mr Bonello also raised concerns with schools’ security, saying that “”everyone has had it up to their neck with the situation”

“We have requested for security officials within schools to adequately deal with conflict resolution since Dolores Cristina was minister. It has been over four years now, how much longer can we wait?”

When asked as to whether or not the union would consider industrial action, Mr Bonello said that it was too early to say, but he could not exclude it.

“If necessary we will have to take industrial action in order to drive the point home.