It-Torca published a letter on 25 March in which a headmistress criticized the education ministry for wasting so many tens of thousands of euros on consultation fees, books that are not used, and so on. Money seems to be no problem!

And then, when it comes to give the common man in the street his due, they get stingy!!

The other day I heard a story, through the grapevine, of a teacher who won a case against the Ministry of Education but will only get half of what he claimed because of laws that limit claims to five years. I think that this law should be changed. But what is beyond belief is that to get even that half he must sign a document saying he is receiving them as a favour from the Ministry. If he won the money in a court case, isn’t it his by right? And he must also give up all other claims. Can a true democracy force one to give up one’s legitimate claims? To use one’s power so as not to give someone what is his unless he agrees to conditions that are unjust and go against one’s dignity – isn’t that bullying?

I am writing this because the person concerned was a good teacher to two of my children.

I think that the powers concerned, before visiting the kitchens of others, should first clean up their own, because those close to him are throwing back into the sea the fish he reels in.

Mary Camilleri

VICTORIA

GOZO