While I must thank Minister Dolores Cristina for the good job she has done over the education system reform, I cannot but show my anger at the ruthless decision to lay off the old invigilators (and by “old”, I mean those of us still in our 40s or 50s, who have served for the last 10 years or so) with “new faces”, as Mr Zaffarese calls them.

I must, of course, point out to some of the new faces that they are, in fact, common old faces, mostly TV personalities and actors. Wow – Xarabank needs to do a programme on this hot subject.

And why are we old invigilators, still in our 40s and 50s, being replaced? We have always worked hard so that all the O-level and A-level exams run smoothly, and I speak for many of us when I ask why are we being unjustly replaced? It is the old ruthless face of Mr Zaffarese that should be replaced, as he is being very unfair, unjust and unkind. The only pocket money some of us had was the small amount received for our invigilation work. Many of us housewives are being replaced by teachers and actors because their new faces are better than our old faces.

Well, when the time comes for us to vote in an election, we will not vote for the Party responsible. Mr Zaffarese has thrown us out and Minister Cristina is doing nothing about it. How would either of them feel if their old faces were replaced by new, fresh ones? This has been going on for about three years now and in my opinion it is bringing shame to the Education Department to let one man ruin the trust we have in the education system. After all, everyone likes to earn that little something but, alas, Mr Zaffarese seems very measly, as he knows his job is very secure.

Minister please take note: no work, no vote!

Carmen Camilleri

PAOLA