Results of a survey carried out by the Malta Union of Teachers show that 96 per cent of teachers in Malta and Gozo think pupil behaviour has deteriorated over the past few years.

Presenting the results of the survey on unacceptable pupil behaviour carried out in mid-2005, teachers’ union president John Bencini said the MUT had been criticised for relying on reports from teachers and on the scenario in European schools, whenever they spoke about unacceptable student behaviour in local schools.

“These results provide a representative sample of the 8,000-or-so teachers in Malta and Gozo. We sent 1,500 surveys and received 922 replies, so now we have a representation of the actual scenario in Malta. Some people might have thought we’re exaggerating, but the results speak for themselves,” Mr Bencini said.

One of the results – that related to verbal abuse by students – is a confirmation of what MUT has been saying over the years, Mr Bencini said, referring to the fact that while 34 per cent of teachers said they never fell victim to verbal abuse from students, 13 per cent said they received such abuse once.

However, an overwhelming 43 per cent said they were occasionally abused verbally, while 10 per cent replied they fell victim to verbal abuse “often”.

Replying to the question “Have you ever suffered physical abuse by students?”, 11 per cent of the teachers said they were physically abused once, three per cent occasionally and around one per cent teachers who participated in the survey said they were abused often.

With regard to sexual harassment, five per cent said they were harassed once, six per cent occasionally and one per cent often.

Mr Bencini expressed particular concern over the results referring to students ridiculing teachers. Although 48 per cent said they were never ridiculed, teachers who said they were ridiculed occasionally and often amounted to 34 per cent and six per cent respectively.

Perhaps the most concerning of all the results is that showing the number of students who frequently disturb in class. Most of the teachers (37 per cent) said normally two to three students in one class cause disturbance.

A further 23 per cent said one student disturbs, while 23 per cent said more than three students in one class are problematic with regard to disturbance during lessons.

The MUT president said the fact that a quarter of the teachers who participated in the survey said they felt threatened by parents once, is probably a reflection of society in general.

“Unfortunately some parents also support their children when they know they are in the wrong, so teachers do not receive the necessary assistance from some parents to instil a sense of discipline among certain students,” Mr Bencini stated.

In the light of these results referring to physical and verbal abuse, Mr Bencini said it is important to address the problem of motivation. While the vast majority of students are not violent, there are a few who have a problem of motivation for a number of reasons, including social conditions like broken families, he said. Mr Bencini added the MUT is insisting on an education reform that includes provisions related to teaching zones in schools, which provide for troublesome students to receive rehabilitation in special classes involving social workers, guidance teachers and counsellors.

The first such school to provide teaching zones for such students is the Erin Serracino Inglott Girls’ Secondary School in Cospicua – a pilot project that will start in January.

“We carried out intensive discussions with the government and there are a substantial number of measures that have been agreed upon, but the MUT has sent a letter to the ministry since it has decided to suspend talks on the reform,” Mr Bencini explained.

The MUT decided to refrain from continuing the discussions following the government’s “unilateral decision” to withdraw the call for applications for vacant places within the education sector.

“We want the vacant places – including those for 40 education officers – to be filled before the reform is introduced, since the new personnel might then be affected by the new conditions. So it is unfair that a substantial amount of places are left vacant while the reform is taking place,” he said.

Mr Bencini insisted the education reform needs to tackle the problem of unacceptable pupil behaviour at its roots. Teachers also need to ask what they are doing to motivate students, he said.

The MUT president referred to the recent case of bullying at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) that was taken to court and said he believes the teenagers involved in the case need help and rehabilitation before they return to the college.

“MCAST authorities spoke very strongly on the matter and the law courts too need to be very strict,” Mr Bencini said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Labour spokesman for education, culture and youth Carmelo Abela asked whether last Friday’s judgement by a Magistrates’ Court related to the case of bullying at MCAST was enough to compensate for the boys’ acts.

Mr Abela made reference to a similar case in Italy recently, which involved students who bullied and intimidated a fellow student with a disability.

Much to the satisfaction of a number of people, the Italian court ordered the students to carry out work in centres for people with disabilities, Mr Abela said.