The Industrial Tribunal has ruled that the dismissal of former St Albert the Great College head of school Mario Mallia was lawful, bringing a four-year dispute over his termination to an end.

The decision concerns Mallia's termination from the Valletta Church school in July 2022, after he had spent 16 years as its head of school. The case had been brought before the Industrial Tribunal by the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT), which had challenged his dismissal as unfair and sought his reinstatement and compensation.

St Albert the Great College said on Thursday that it accepted the Tribunal's decision, with Rector Fr Aaron Zahra OP saying the ruling confirmed that the college had acted in the best interests of its students.

"We have always sought the truth, to do what is right and, above all, what is in the best interests of our students," Fr Zahra said.

"Today, the Tribunal has also confirmed this."

Mallia had been dismissed on 25 July 2022 after receiving a final warning earlier that month. At the time, the college said his termination had resulted from "various managerial and procedural issues" which had accumulated over a period of time and remained unresolved.

The college had specifically denied reports that Mallia was dismissed because of disagreements over inclusion policies at the school, saying it remained committed to policies aimed at improving the lives of students, families and educators.

Mallia, however, disputed the college's version of events and maintained that he had not been given an adequate opportunity to defend himself before his employment was terminated.

When the MUT filed the case before the Industrial Tribunal in August 2022, Mallia's lawyers argued that he had responded to a final warning issued by Rector Fr Aaron Zahra but that he was subsequently dismissed without being given a further opportunity to formally defend his position before the Board and Rector.

The dismissal letter cited "usurpation of and/or use of employer's property without obtaining prior consent, with aggravating circumstances" and "insubordination with aggravating circumstances" as reasons for terminating his employment, according to the declaration filed by Mallia before the Tribunal.

The dispute became particularly contentious because it coincided with disagreements over initiatives introduced at St Albert aimed at promoting inclusion.

Mallia had publicly said at the time that he believed his work on inclusivity programmes had contributed to the breakdown in relations with the school authorities. The college strongly rejected that account and said his dismissal was instead connected to managerial and procedural matters.

The Church Schools Association, while not taking a position on the reasons for his dismissal, said in July 2022 that it was saddened that differences between the college's Board of Governors and Mallia could not be reconciled. It also acknowledged Mallia's contribution to the educational inclusion of disadvantaged students and students from different backgrounds.

The MUT strongly supported Mallia throughout the dispute and had argued that proper procedures had not been followed in his dismissal. The union had also organised a protest following his termination and subsequently declared a trade dispute with the college.

The dispute developed into a wider crisis at the college during the summer and autumn of 2022, with tensions between the school administration and educators. The situation was serious enough for the Office of the Commissioner for Children to intervene publicly, expressing concern about the effect of the uncertainty on students and parents and urging all parties to resolve their differences in the best interests of children.

The MUT later said that a number of educators had resigned following the dismissal, while the college and union exchanged accusations over the management of the school and the preparations for the new scholastic year.

Mallia had joined St Albert the Great College as deputy head in 2003 before becoming headmaster three years later. He had held the position for approximately 16 years when his employment was terminated in 2022.

In its reaction to Thursday's Tribunal decision, St Albert said that over the past four years the college had continued to develop through the work and commitment of those involved.

Fr Zahra said the college now has 450 students, whom he said are "all deeply valued".

"The College's priority is the start of the new scholastic year, because our students will always come before any other interest," he said.

He also thanked those who had supported the college throughout the dispute.