An assistant head was verbally and physically assaulted by a third party employed as a security guard, the Union of Professional Educators Voice of the Workers said. The incident happened at the Higher Secondary School in Naxxar when the security guard was caught smoking on school premises and was not performing his assigned duties.

When he was verbally cautioned not to smoke on school premises, the security guard pushed the assistant head and shouted at him. The assistant head immediately informed his superiors of the incident.

The union said the management did not investigate the security guard, but instead called the assistant head for an interrogation by his superiors and the employers of the security guard. During this “interrogation”, the employers and superiors tried to justify the attitude and actions of the security guard, the union said.

The union through its affiliate intervened immediately with the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education and requested that a proper investigation takes place whereby the board determines the facts and takes the necessary actions.

Although the union had intervened on 22 January, no reply has been forthcoming. Instead, it was informed by its member that his duties are being changed with immediate effect, and his responsibilities are being removed.

UPE said it is astonished that it is evident that the ministry, instead of protecting the person who was assaulted, is instead protecting the aggressor. It is also evident that it does not want to perform a proper investigation since the facts would show that the attitudes and actions of the security guard are to be condemned.

It is therefore asking: Who is the Ministry protecting? Why is it afraid to conduct a proper investigation? Why is the alleged victim being effectively transferred and why are his duties being changed? 

The union said it will continue intervening in this case until justice prevails and it does not exclude in taking more action as necessary.

Government reaction

In reaction to what the UPE said, the Ministry for Education and Employment issued a number of clarifications. The Ministry said that the case has already been looked into by the Head of School and College Principal and action was already been taken and communicated.  The Ministry also said that the assistant head was not transferred and is still working at the Higher Secondary. He retains this role and the responsibilities associated with the role. Ministry also said that since the matter is within the remit of the police following the submission of a report, his responsibilities will not include supervision of this security officer involved in this case. The matter is also being looked into by the employer's side as well as the police. Should further action arise from that, the school will take all necessary action as is required.