An inquiry has found no signs of foul play in public school examination results.

The Malta Union of Teachers had complained that Education Ministry officials had changed the results given by some teachers to students who were absent.

The union had noted that some students had obtained full marks in certain subjects despite not attending classes during that year.

But in a statement on Monday, the Education Ministry said no such thing had happened. It published the full findings of the inquiry, which was led by Judge Emeritus Philip Sciberras.

The inquiry board found that the education authorities had made the process public through three circulars it had sent out. They had explained that the system was put in place to ensure that vulnerable students who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic would not miss out on their school certificate.

Such students would receive certificates based on their mid-year exams and previous assessments.

A number of education department officials explained the methodology used to the inquiry board.

But MUT president Marco Bonnici said the union had not been informed about the system, while the circulars had been sent to heads of schools, not teachers.

Meanwhile, the inquiry board made a number of recommendations, including on how such systems should be better communicated with all stakeholders.

Education Minister Justyne Caruana said on Monday that the recommendations would be analysed.

 

MUT reaction

Reacting, the MUT said the inquiry confirmed that the examination marks of some absent students had been changed. The report also confirms that this was done without consultation with the union.

MUT also said it has serious reservations about the objectivity of the inquiry, adding that it had objected to one of the board members, to the procedure and also to how a ministry official had “acted as the board secretary.”

The inquiry’s recommendations also justify the MUT’s complaint, the union said.

It said it expects that the work of teachers is taken more seriously and that they are treated as professionals.