A student is alleging that she was sexually abused by other students “with the blessing of a teacher” at the Hamrun secondary school.

The Education Ministry said in a statement last night that the matter is being investigated.

The ministry said that it had been informed about the alleged case and that steps were taken to safeguard the interests of all the parties concerned.

It added that a ministerial inquiry is under way.

The 14-year-old girl is alleging that the teacher in question has been passing lewd remarks since the first day of the scholastic year, and that on occasions he has also touched her.

The girl is alleging that last Tuesday, in one of the classes, she was held by the teacher while two male students started to touch her intimately.

The girl’s mother later filed a report at the Hamrun police station.

Following the publication of news reports on the incident, the Malta Union of Teachers said it has written to the Minister for Education and Employment saying that from the initial evidence, "this case is seemingly similar to previous cases involving allegations on educators. In its correspondence, the Union stated that unfortunately the teacher concerned seems to have been found guilty, particularly by the media, before any investigation has been concluded. From initial evidence collected by the MUT, it seems that there are various versions of facts on what exactly happened but the media is focusing exclusively on the version provided by the parent.

"In view of this, the MUT asked the Ministry for Education and Employment to launch its own investigation into the case and take the appropriate action especially to protect its students and employees at this school. Further to this, the Union asked the MEDE to launch another investigation with the highest urgency to determine why, on a daily basis, young adults from other youth hubs, are abusing students and teachers alike. The MUT expects this situation to be dealt with efficacy and is considering action permitted to it by law. The Union will, as always, collaborate with the authorities if and when needed for the truth to be established."