Today is a special day for the Malta Union of Teachers. For the past 105 years the MUT has been commemorating the foundation day, which is of great significance to the MUT and the entire education sector. The history of the union is part of Maltese history as developments at national level and the union went hand in hand. All the major events in education in the latest century are attributed to the initiatives, discussions and agreements of the MUT.  I am very proud and humbled to be leading this organisation.

The origins

The foundation year 1919 was a very important year in terms of Maltese history and not only due to Sette Giugno (7^th June) tragic events, but it was also a year of unrest and a difficult period for Maltese inhabitants including teachers. During the year, a long-awaited salary increase was finally issued to the public service but it excluded, among few others, teachers. Teachers were not yet organised and they sought to become a movement to make pressure on the authorities to get what they deserved. MUT founder Antonio Galea together with a small group of teachers organised the first general assembly for teachers on 22^nd November 1919 at the Floriana Primary School.

The first registered union

The first committee was established during the same assembly and it led to the formation of the Malta Union of Teachers. The majority of teachers enrolled with the MUT within the first few months. After years of discussions and actions, the teachers’ union managed to obtain the long-awaited salary increases for teachers. Although the Union was recognised at national level, it took several years to be registered by the ruling government. The registration was provided in mid-century following amendments to legislation. The MUT was given the first registration number by the Registrar of Trade Unions – RTU 001, which is retained to date.  

A stronger union

One hundred and five years later, the MUT is stronger than ever with a membership base exceeding 10,400 in 2024. It has widened its membership base considerably, representing more than thirty different grades including teachers. During the past four years, the union managed to obtain the sole recognition of seven new grades. The last sole recognition process involved all grades at the Foundation of Educational Services, responsible for childcare centres and after school clubs. The membership of the MUT ranges from pre-school personnel to the University of Malta academics. Of particular interest is the development in the past years whereby MUT started also representing non-academic grades employed in the different government entities. The MUT has concluded several agreements for the various grades and is currently concluding a number of agreements. Negotiations on a number of new agreements shall start in the coming weeks.

Strengthening the profession

The MUT has always advocated for the professional status of educators. Thanks to the work carried out in 1988, the Government issued the first warrants to teachers and eventually the first code of ethics was published.

During the consultations carried out in the review of the Education Act a few years ago, the MUT advocated for Learning Support Educators and Kindergarten Educators to be included as part of the Council for educators and to become eligible for a warrant. This amendment, which has been passed through all stages in parliament, is yet to be implemented. The professional aspect of educators was the centre of MUT’s operations and led to the foundation of Fondazzjoni Sagħtar in 2020. T

he foundation, which took the name from the popular children magazine, has re-issued the same magazine and is growing steadily through further publications such as Sagħtarin, whilst also publishing one-off books for children on a number of themes. The work of the foundation will be strengthened in the coming months with the provision of educational courses.

Commemorating the anniversary

The anniversary of the foundation of the MUT is celebrated annually by the laying of flowers at the MUT monument at the Mall gardens in Floriana. The Monument, which was designed by sculptor Chris Ebejer, was erected in December 2019 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the union.

It features a girl immersed in reading a book. Behind her, an open door symbolises education which opens all doors whilst butterfies emerging from the book symbolise wisdom. The monument is the latest one erected at the Mall gardens and is the only monument with a female sculpture.

This year, MUT has teamed up with the Floriana Local Council to celebrate the anniversary together, in recognition of the foundation of the MUT which occurred in the same locality. Ad multos annos!