I was not surprised to see that Stephen Calleja is back to his sneaky subterfuge against teachers’ school hours and holidays (TMIS, 26 September). While he has the right to express himself, I have to point out to him that before doing so he should carry out some research.

For example, while it’s true that French schools have classes on Saturday mornings, he failed to point out that French teachers work a four-day week and, although school may end at 4 or even 5pm, the lunch break can range from 90 minutes to even two hours! In fact, the French school system is considered as having ‘one of the longest school holidays in the world’...

Now, because of this four-day week, some holidays were shortened making students in France return to school in late August instead of September. Don’t grin, Mr Calleja! This actually angered parents, who were accustomed to the traditional September school return, and in the warmer areas of France the parents called for swimming pools to be built in the schools for their children to “cool off”.

Regarding Italy, they too have classes on Saturday, but school is from 8:15 to 13:15 / 13:30. Italian teachers put in 30 hours per week. Maltese teachers do likewise.

So, because of his lack of expertise, Mr Calleja would have the reader believe that Maltese teachers are on easy street and teachers in other countries do more work. In other countries the time / holidays are spread out differently, that’s all. And since we often boast that Malta has one of the best educational systems in the EU, then why tamper with it?

The only thing I agreed with Mr Calleja is when he said ‘‘I am no expert...’’ Then, please, only write about things in which you are an expert. I know! I know! It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack! But, you never know, one day you might succeed in surprising yourself and your readers!

Joe Falzon

QALA