The Malta College for Arts Science and Technology (MCAST) says it has settled all pending issues on lecturers’ salaries, arrears and allowances, saying that it is now awaiting the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) to lift all directives.
MUT had issued a number of directives, most of which are still in place.
Educators were told not to take attendance, which led to a delay in the issuing of stipends for students. That directive was suspended yesterday after MCAST made the necessary payments to lecturers. The college says it is now expecting the union of teachers to lift the rest of the directives, which includes not giving exam results. Students were threatening to strike, complaining that they need to know the results since resits are going to be held soon.
The Malta Independent yesterday visited MCAST in Paola and spoke to the MCAST’s administration regarding the directives, and their impact on the system and students.
“MCAST has ticked off all that was required of us; sorting out issues with regards to salaries and arrears, so we are now waiting to hear from MUT,” said Deputy Principal of Administration Philip Vella.
MCAST educators received their salaries and arrears yesterday and, according to Vella, the educators were happy with what they received.
Vella said that all educators received their full salary, the pending arrears from January and August 2018, their Work Resource allowance and even the arrears for their qualifications.
“We acknowledge that some lecturers may have more than one qualification, and we give an allowance for that as the more qualifications they have, the more they have to provide during their lectures.”
During the meeting itself, MCAST officials received positive feedback from educators, who acknowledged that their salaries were now in order, he said.
Vella explained that MUT doubted that MCAST would manage to solve the issue of arrears and salary adjustment, but said that the institution was fully committed to deliver what is necessary for educators and students.
He explained that the current administration inherited problems which were previously unresolved, and that currently it is also in a state of recruitment, rebranding. This is being done at a time when the campus is going through a construction phase. “I do not wish to justify the mistakes we made of course, but we feel that this situation did not have to escalate to what it did.”
No issues with MUT
Concluding, Vella said that “We have no issues with MUT; we are now waiting for them to take the final step and lift the directives. We are waiting for MUT, but we do not wish for this to drag on, especially for the sake of the students. We just wish to have these directives lifted. We acknowledge that we have made some mistakes, but we should not get back to business and move forward.”
MUT head Marco Bonnici told The Malta Independent yesterday that all issues related to arrears were to be settled by Friday, adding that a meeting between the union and MCAST will be held either on Monday or Tuesday.
If the union is satisfied that issue for all lecturers have been settled then the union will lift the directives, Bonnici said. He warned, however, that if this is not the case, the union might step up the industrial action.
Stipends will be given to students; attendance or no attendance
MCAST will be giving out stipends to students on Monday 28 January, regardless of whether attendance is taken, said Deputy Principal Registrar Ronald Curmi.
He said that the institution took action and contacted the Minister for Education as to make sure that students are paid in full.
“Of course, there are some students who have not had their application approved, simply because we are waiting for them to provide us with the necessary information, such as school leaving certificates or correct employment,” said Curmi. Around 500 students have been sent messages asking them to check their emails and fix their applications.
When asked regarding the issue of the maintenance grant, Curmi explained that many different factors go into applying for a maintenance grant. “Sometimes you have students complaining that they received their stipend, but are waiting for their grant. One needs to see whether that student is repeating, has changed course or has missing information on their application; whatever the issue is MCAST has an open door policy for students for us to help them.”
When asked about the complaints of delayed exam timetables highlighted in a LovinMalta article, Curmi said that the institute has now issued a tentative timetable. “I’m aware that these directives have affected our students and put them in an uncomfortable situation.” He said that once all directives have been lifted, students will have proper examination dates.
Compensation proposals
During a meetingheld between administration and Kunsill Studenti MCAST (KSM), Vella stressed that the administration was open to discussion on any type of compensation students may wish for as a result of the directives. “We find it unjust that students were affected by these directives, and we are here to provide the best service possible for them.”
The officials said MCAST has an open door policy and is ready to provide for the students.
Curmi said that students were not fully aware of how many different resources students have at their disposal, highlighting that there is even a service for students to speak to a councillor if they feel they have been mistreated in any way.
Students can also approach their own institute administration if they are facing issues during their lectures. “Many times we see complaints on social media from our students, when they could have easily been sorted out if they approach administration in the first place.”