In 1996 the Department of Education did not fully recognise my MA (USA) and allotted me only Lm200 per annum instead of the Lm300 as its by-laws dictate. No written evaluation had ever been forwarded to me and I assumed it was policy. However, in April 2008 circumstances led me to obtain a written evaluation from MQRIC, which fully recognised my MA. Armed with this letter, i informed the Department of Education that justice demanded that my allowance be re-adjusted, plus 13 years’ worth of arrears! That’s what justice would demand, but the Department of Education thinks otherwise!

The department’s unreasonableness had forced me to refer the matter to the ombudsman, who supported my view of the matter and I am heartily grateful for his help. However, although the Department of Education refused to accept the ombudsman’s decision that I was entitled to arrears, on 5 June 2009, on the eve of the European elections, the director general, Ms Michelline Sciberras, e-mailed me saying the Permanent Secretary had advised her to take into consideration the ombudsman’s suggestions. But once the election was over it was back to square one, as any reader with some sense must have already guessed!

The Department of Education has failed to give a satisfactory reason why I should not get the arrears – no reason that convinced either the ombudsman or me.

So, I would like to appeal to the Permanent Secretary that justice needs to be served – might is not necessarily right. The ombudsman is convinced of the legitimacy of my claims; the Department of Education has passed my case through a fine sieve and failed to find a legitimate reason for withholding my arrears.

So why is it refusing to give arrears? What explanation can it give for the incorrect evaluation of my degree in 1996? Why the misleading promise of cooperation on the eve of the European Parliament elections?

Joe Falzon

QALA