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Click
here to download Rally poster
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ALLEGATIONS
OF UNDUE PRESSURE ON PE/PE PERIPATETIC TEACHERS
The MUT
is very concerned about allegations of undue pressure
being exercised on PE Teachers/PE Peripatetic Teachers
to attend for Subject Meetings against the MUT Directive.
Repeat
attempts to contact the E.O. concerned have proved futile.
The MUT
is investigating the matter.
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MUT
PR 8 2010
Undue
Pressure at Ninu Cremona Gozo College Secondary
The MUT is completely perplexed at the Ministry of Education,
Culture Youth and Sport's Statement carrying a "clarification"
by the Directorate for Educational Services (DES) concerning
the subject in caption.
The
Directorate simply based its position on the assertion of
the Head of School - the same person involved in the controversy.
The Directorate did not even deign itself to check out matters
at this School with other teaching staff or at least with
the MUT School Delegate. In spite of this serious omission,
the Ministry and the Directorate still thought fit of singling
the MUT Delegate for not attending the meeting in question,
rightly abiding to the Union's directive.
The
MUT cannot understand how the Education Authorities have acted
as prosecutor, judge and jury at the same time. The Union
cannot but condemn the Ministry's and Directorate's stance
in the whole controversy. This incident is just one example
of the sheer arrogance permeating the state educational establishment
where employees are being denied the right of fair hearing
and treatment. Now even Union delegates are being exposed
and singled out for carrying out their legitimate role. All
this is very worrying and reminiscent of the 1980s authorities'
attitude.
The
MUT assures all teaching grades that these incidents will
not deter it from continuing to work to better their conditions
and to address injustice. All this will only serve to strengthen
the Union in its endeavour.
4th February 2010
Franklin Barbara
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CLARIFICATION
ON MUT DIRECTIVES AND IN-SERVICE COURSES
The MUT would like to clarify that in-service courses are
not subject to directives at present. For the avoidance of
any doubt, teachers may thus attend any in-service course:
whether those organized during the scholastic year or in July/September.
As already agreed with the Directorate, teachers may opt to
register either for an in-service course held during the scholastic
year after-school hours (including those in-service courses
that may be held in the coming week/s) or during the three
days in July/September. Teachers have a right to choose either.
Any instance of undue pressure being exerted on teachers to
register for the after-school in-service course instead of
the July/September in-service is to be reported immediately
to the MUT.
4th
February 2010
MUT
Secretariat
__________________________________________________________
2nd
February
MUT
Directives to Teaching Grades in State Schools
With reference to PR 4/2010 (available on www.mut.org.mt and
sent to all schools), the MUT is hereby directing Teaching
Grades in State Schools to follow the Directives published
underneath with immediate effect:
1.
All Teaching Grades are to refrain from carrying out any administrational/clerical
work requested on a College based level.
2.
All Teaching Grades are to refrain from involving themselves
in any kind of College-Based Activity.
3.
All Teaching Grades are to refrain from attending meetings
organized by the Directorates and Colleges. Heads and Acting
Heads of School are to refrain from attending Council of Heads
Meetings.
4.
All Teaching Grades, including SMT members, are not to answer
any correspondence from College Principals and/or from their
offices.
5.
Teachers, LSAs and KGAs are to refrain from attending any
kind of meeting before/during/after-school hours (including
guidance meetings, subject meetings, SDP meetings, Professional
Development Sessions, staff meetings, staff briefings etc.)
except for meetings concerning students' welfare or well-being
like IEPs, MAPP sessions and urgent meetings concerning particular
students' welfare or well-being only. This directive also
excludes inservice courses that are currently underway.
6.
All Teaching Grades are to refrain from attending/participating
in School Councils.
7.
KGAs, LSAs and all teaching grades are to refrain from washing
or cleaning any toys, play material or resources used in the
classroom.
8.
All Teaching Grades, except those working in Special Schools
and Resource Centres are to refrain from distributing milk
and foodstuffs, helping in the organization thereof or in
the cleaning process.
9.
All Primary School Teachers are to refrain from preparing
agendas, taking minutes or notes during Curriculum Development
Sessions.
10.
All Teaching Grades are to refrain from participating in any
meeting with parents/guardians outside parents'days or parents'
evening except in the case of emergency where the welfare
of the student or Teacher/KGA/LSA involved is concerned.
11.
All Learning Support Assistants are to refrain from attending
ad hoc student therapy sessions or hospital visits. THIS DIRECTIVE,
AT LEAST UNTIL THE COUNCIL DECIDES OTHERWISE, DOES NOT INCLUDE
TIMETABLED SESSIONS AT RAZZETT TAL-HBIBERIJA AND OTHER ENTITIES
ON WHICH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE DES EXISTS.
12.
The MUT also reminds teaching grades of other Directives still
in force, among which:
-The
PMP Directive
-The Directive to New Teachers: not to attend any after-school
meetings and to refrain from filling in any journal etc.
-The Directive to School Counselors
13.
Teachers are to do all the necessary work in connection with
examinations and assessment marks, including correcting and
marking of scripts however they are to refrain from clerking-in
the examination results on broadsheets or inputting them in
any computer/other system. The mark awarded is to be assigned
on the examination script itself. Other work in relation to
clerking-in of results is not to be done by teachers or any
other teaching grade.
14.
KGAs are to fill in the daily planner only and to refrain
from filling in any other documentation related to register-keeping
and/or any other administrative/clerical duties due to the
fact that to-date they receive no allowance whatsoever in
spite of various representations by the MUT over the years.
The
term Teaching Grades includes all of the following: Heads
of School, Acting Heads of School, Assistant Heads of School,
Education Officers, Heads of Department, School Counselors,
INCOs, Teachers, Kindergarten Assistants, Learning Support
Assistants, Supply Teachers/LSAs/KGAs.
The
MUT assures All Teaching Grades adhering to these Directives,
members and non members alike, of its full protection.
These
Directives will remain in force until the MUT Council notifies
otherwise. The MUT Council, which has unanimously agreed on
these measures will be monitoring the situation on a daily
basis and it is not excluding the introduction of additional
directives in the coming weeks.
The Union urges All Teaching Grades to be on the look-out
for further developments and/or directives which may be issued.
Kindly visit our website for updates: www.mut.org.mt
Any
instances of pressure being exerted on Teaching Grades not
to adhere to these Directives are to be reported immediately
to the MUT Offices on 21 237815/ 21222663/ info@mut.org.mt.
Franklin
Barbara
General Secretary
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Courses
organised by MISCO and MEUSAC
Click
here for Info
Click
here for Registration
__________________________________________________________
Short
Course (30 hours)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Starting
February 2010
Venue: Malta University Residence, Lija (Malta)
e:
joanna.hauge@muhc.com.mt ~ 21234121/2
The
short course Community Development will attempt to help course
participants understand, appreciate and reflect on the various
ingredients that contribute to having a healthy society. The
aim of this short course is to reflect on the theory but also
work on strategies that can be applied to the respective contexts
the course participants come from.
THEMES
Understanding Community, identity negotiation and community
profiling Community foundation and contemporary issues in
community development Working towards change (case studies)
Community work, social movements & activism Social Policy:
Public space and the public realm Social cohesion and social
regeneration Inclusive communities and minorities Citizenship
participation and community education Environment, climate
change & sustainable development Governance, economic
and social justice organised by the Malta University Consulting
Services in collaboration with the Department of Youth and
Community Services.
COURSE
COORDINATOR
DR ANDREW AZZOPARDI
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE
Dr Paul J. Pace, Specialist in Environmental Education
Mr Mario Gerada, Social and Community Operator
Mr Joe Gerada, Specialist in Social Policy
e:
andrew.azzopardi@um.edu.mt
t: 23402918
__________________________________________________________
Click
here to download reply by Director General of Public Health
regarding Immunisation of Teaching Grades against Influenza
A (H1N1)
__________________________________________________________
DIRECTIVES
TO NEW TEACHERS EMPLOYED WITH THE DES (STATE SCHOOLS)
The
Malta Union of Teachers has been informed that new teachers
are being asked to fill in a booklet entitled 'My Reflective
Practice Journal' which according to a covering circular should
be then shown to mentors.
The
Union believes that this particular document is an insult
to the professionalism of newly employed teachers, to their
years of study at University and moreover to the Faculty of
Education which has prepared to teach in a professional manner.
The
Union also notes that, in the mean time, the role of mentor
has never been established by the Education Authorities notwithstanding
the fact that an agreement on this role had been reached way
back in 2007.
The
MUT is therefore directing all newly employed teachers to
refrain from filling out this document and/or to present it
to anyone. The Union encourages all teachers to contact it
immediately in the case of undue pressure on this issue and
it will take all the necessary action immediately.
The
MUT is also directing all teachers, including newly employed
personnel, to refrain from attending meetings after school
hours organised by their college and/or by anyone of the directorates
if it is not made clear to all that attendance to these meetings
is on a voluntary basis, until such time as discussions are
held with the Union to define a uniform and logical induction
process for newly recruited teachers..
MUT SECRETARIAT
14th January 2010
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DIRECTIVE
TO ALL SCHOOL COUNSELLORS
Since the introduction of the College System in State Schools,
the work load of School Counsellors has drastically increased.
In spite of this, the School Counsellors have laboured on
to provide the best possible service in the circumstances.
However,
these working conditions are unacceptable for both the School
Counsellors and their clients. In this respect, the College
System is sacrificing quality for quantity and this is neither
professional nor respectful towards the students and parents
who avail themselves of this service.
In
the U.S. and in most E.U. Countries the average student-counsellor
ratio varies from a high of 1250 to a low of about 400.
In
the circumstances and until such time as discussions are held
between the MUT and the Education Authorities, Counsellors
are directed:
(a)
not to exceed a student/counsellor ratio of 1400:1.
(b)
Not to offer counselling service in schools where there are
no proper amenities and facilities.
6
January 2010
Franklin
Barbara
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