The country has removed censorship of individuals in all situations and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) will not accept that censorship be re-introduced with educators in the education system, the union said in a statement.
The MUT was reacting following the first reported case where a teacher was reprimanded for speaking publicly about the profession and the education system.
The Times of Malta reported that a teacher from a government school was told off by their headmaster after she spoke out publicly against a new Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) system that introduced constant assessments. However, the teacher defended her headmaster telling Times of Malta he was just following orders of "someone from above".
The MUT reaffirmed that a professional is duty bound to engage in dialogue about the profession and aspects related it.
Those who intimidate teachers are the greatest enemies of freedom of expression - PN
The Nationalist Party also issued a statement. It said that those who seek to intimidate teachers are the greatest enemies of freedom of expression.
"Educators are the ones who teach our children the importance of expressing themselves and their right to do so. However, anyone who criticises Robert Abela's Government faces severe consequences."
"A teacher who recently voiced her concerns during a television programme was reprimanded simply for daring to criticise the Government. The school head summoned her following an order given by the Ministry. Such actions are reminiscent of the Government of the 1980s and do no credit to an administration that claims to believe in freedom of expression and respect for educators."
"A Minister who instructs his subordinates to warn a teacher is a disgrace to the Ministry he represents. Minister Clifton Grima has repeatedly stated that he has never prevented any educator from criticising or speaking out. However, the events of recent days clearly show that there is a big difference between the Minister's words and reality."
"During the same programme in which this teacher expressed her concerns, Shadow Minister for Education Justin Schembri highlighted the right of educators to speak without fear. This was in response to a directive issued by Clifton Grima's Ministry, which ordered teachers to seek permission from him before speaking publicly. This directive sparked a wave of criticism, including from the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University. The PN strongly condemns all forms of intimidation against our teachers."
The PN said it will continue to hold teachers and educators in the highest regard, "as our society today, tomorrow, and in the future is built upon their invaluable work."