The government is failing to take a strong lead in introducing restrictive measures and in enforcing them during the pandemic, said Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) President Marco Bonnici.
“The government is still not taking the pandemic seriously, whilst it is continuously minimising its effects, including when reporting deaths and the MUT is requesting the government to strengthen its enforcement of measures and awareness.”
Bonnici said this during a press conference held on Monday, the date falling on World Teacher’s Day, a day dedicated to educators. Bonnici made reference to the theme chosen by UNESCO this year, “taking the lead”, referring to the current situation where educators are doing their utmost in school to adhere to health protocols and continue providing the best educational experience to students during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are highlighting the importance of our educators, who are trying their best to follow all the protocols and safeguard their health and that of the students; and yet the government is failing to shoulder the responsibility of taking the decision to re-open schools during a pandemic, and when the number of positive daily cases is increase.”
On Monday, Health Authorities announced that out of the 66 cases reported on Sunday, seven cases were educators, whilst another one was a student.
“We cannot keep giving people mixed signals and messages that the pandemic is over. We all know now that the pandemic is here, and that the attitude the government has is wrong. Educators are also getting mixed signals when it comes to the protocols they are to follow. Our message is clear, the government must look around at what other countries are doing, to provide enforcement measures and measures which are consistent and that everyone must follow them.”
He said that the regulations and measures which educators and students are trying to follow in schools are all forgotten, the moment when they step out of the school. “So the rest of society does not have to follow regulations so strictly as those who are at school; this just goes to show how the government has failed to take responsibility to provide consistent measures throughout society.”
MUT are highlighted that it was very clear that the government was not clearly prepared to open schools, and until a few weeks ago, it continued to insist with educators in school management to refrain from changing times tables. “The publication of protocols merely a month ago led to all the work carried out in schools by educators to prepare schools for re-opening. The MUT expects the Government to admit that schools are being re-opening thanks to the endless efforts of educators.”
No clear consistent policy regarding information about positive cases in schools
MUT have noticed that the government has also failed to provide a clear and consistent policy regarding information about positive cases in schools. “We have educators who are finding out about new cases in their schools through online media or through the grape wine,” explained Bonnici.
He stressed that the government should have clear communication procedures in place to inform affected educators, students and parents and to ensure that the necessary measures are taken.
“How can it be no one is contacting these educators to inform them that there are the necessary protocols and measures taking place? The government and health authorities must provide the education institutions what to do when a case is found, and the government must provide the right correct measures.”
He said that MUT, as a point of principle and as a professional organisation, shall not join the “charade of speculation” as seen online.
Government portraying this year as a normal scholastic year which is not the case
Bonnici highlighted that this scholastic year is anything but a normal scholastic year. “We must understand that this year is far from normal and that the concept that students at home and students who are physically at school will be receiving the same education is not the case whatsoever.”
He said that notwithstanding technology, models of timetabling and logistics, it is clear that educators cannot split between students at school and students at home. He also highlighted that the union condemned attempts to characterise teachers as lazy people who are too frightened to return to school.
“The MUT will not accept that educators are expected to do miracles in schools when there are limitations based on human resources available which have been magnified even more by the pandemic.
Around 80 primary classes in state schools are without a teacher
Bonnici said that there are currently 80 primary classes in state schools that are still without a teacher.
He said that the government and the union are confident that the issue will be resolved by Wednesday, when schools are return back to school.
He said that a call for peripatetic teachers has been issued to fill the gaps and there has already been feedback and interest.