Mario Mallia, the headmaster at St. Albert the Great College in Valletta, has been dismissed from his post, The Malta Independent can confirm.

Mallia held the post of headmaster for 16 years. The school is a Church school run by the Dominican Province in Malta.

Mallia has also been active in politics or a number of years with Alternattiva Demokratika besides working at the school. He served as a local councillor representing AD on the Birkirkara local council between 2003 and 2006 and was a candidate for the party in a number of general elections.

He currently serves as ADPD’s Deputy Chairperson and is the party’s spokesperson on education.

Peppi Azzopardi was amongst those who reacted to the news, saying that he was “shocked” by the decision, particularly because he knew why Mallia had been fired.

“He was fired because he created a democratic environment in the school, where children participate; because he created a new style of leadership; because he breathlessly worked so that everybody can be included regardless of ability, sexual orientation, colour, belief, or size,” Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi said that he knew Mallia and that he knew that he put his heart and soul into the school, and that parents, students, and staff alike where all happy at the school and all spoke about their headmaster in glowing terms.

“It’s no coincidence that St. Albert school transmits continuous happiness and love.  Mario Mallia’s leadership was inspired by Pope Francis,” he said.

Azzopardi added that the school board should reach an agreement, and that the students, staff, and parents should not accept this sacking: “not only out of solidarity with Mario, but with even greater solidarity for St. Albert’s students.”

Dean of the University of Malta’s Faculty of Social Wellbeing Andrew Azzopardi had a similar reaction, saying that he “cannot understand this country anymore” and lamented at how “you disagree, and you get cancelled.”

“I’ve been saying that this culture is flourishing and finding fertile ground… this time its next victim was Mario Mallia,” he said.