The Education Ministry has blasted a Nationalist Party MP over what it described as a “baseless and irresponsible” statement which he uploaded to social media.

The Ministry said that a Facebook post uploaded by the PN’s education spokesperson Justin Schembri was baseless, irresponsible and intended to alarm parents and students alike.

In the post, Schembri questioned whether it was true that a number of children at the San Gorg Preca middle school had gotten sick after drinking water from communal water fountains at the school. 

He also questioned whether it was true that the filters on these fountains were being cleaned and whether many of the fountains were either not working or discharged non-potable water.

Schembri later edited the post to say that he had been contacted by Water Services Corporation CEO Karl Cilia who told him that the answer to each of his questions was “no”. 

“Baseless statements like these are worthy of being condemned, especially when coming from a public figure.  That’s why one should verify the facts before sharing fake news.  The facts show that the water fountains are subject to regular cleaning and maintenance, as well as water quality tests,” the ministry said in its statement.

The Ministry said that it is investing in the education sector even for the health of students, which is why water fountains such as these were installed in schools with the collaboration of the Environment Ministry.