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LATEST NEWS:

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MUT PR 9 2012

Precarious Employment and the Situation at MCAST

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14th May 2012

Special Papers by Complementary Teachers: Directive

Following the directive issued by the Union in the past months regarding adapted papers, the Union has been informed that another initiative is being introduced whereby some complementary teachers in state schools are being requested to prepare a number of special papers for annual exams. The Union would like to clarify that it has no agreement about special papers or similar initiatives and all annual exams need to be issued by the Directorates. The Union urges all members to contact its Officials if there is undue pressure to carry out this practice.

MUT Central Administration

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Riforma tal-Kulleggi, Università trasparenti u toghma Fillandiza - Click to read article by Mr. Kevin Bonello

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11th May 2012

Union membership verification exercise

Following the MUT's request to the Registrar of Trade Unions to carry out a verification exercise to determine whether the MUT has the majority of employees in a number of new grades, the verification exercise has now been concluded and it resulted that the MUT has more than 50% of employees as its members in the following positions:

College Career Advisor; Trainee Career Advisor; Trainee Counsellor and Youth Workers.

Now that this process has been concluded, the Union will be communicating with the Ministry of Education and Employment so that is starts representing these grades. Members in these grades will also be contacted in the following days.

MUT Central Administration

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Friday 11th May 2012-05-10

NEWS - MCAST, Church School Supply Grades, Resource Centres, Meeting with Minister

MEETING for MCAST Members

SUBJECT: Interim Agreement between MCAST and MUT regarding thesis and dissertations

All MUT members at MCAST, with particular reference to those who are directly or indirectly involved with the supervision of thesis, are cordially invited to an information meeting where members will be informed about the contents of the agreement reached.

VENUE: Hall at MCAST Administration Block
DATE: Friday 18th MAY
TIME: 12.45
DURATION: 30 mins

CHURCH SCHOOLS SUPPLY GRADES

The MUT has been inundated with queries regarding supply grades in Church schools. Thus the Union would like to clarify the following points:
a) Redundancies from schools are affected by seniority. Seniority changes only when one is regularised into the grade of LSA1 or 2. A part of the courses (for example the 10 week course) is not enough to change seniority status.
b) Supply LSAs / Teachers / KGAs who are in their fifth year of employment or beyond are on an indefinite contract. Thus their employment can only be terminated in case of a redundancy. Persons on indefinite contracts, per industrial law, cannot be fired to make place for new recruits.
c) All Supply grades are strongly encouraged to pursue qualification courses to upgrade their positions. Some of the courses available today are only existent after long negotiations with the government. Until a few years ago supply grades were kept on a definite contract ad eternum and for some years they were even not paid for holidays. Only recent agreements dealt by the MUT changed all these.

For more details members are asked to contact the Union via email (see www.mut.org.mt) or via telephone numbers during office hours.

Resource Centres

Discussions over CBA and other issues concerning resource centres have continued this week. The Union will be presenting the DSS with a document encapsulating various proposals.

Meeting with Minister

MUT Officials were this week involved in a lengthy meeting with the Hon. Minister of Education on a number of pressing themes. Among the issues discussed were those raised by peripatetic teachers and LSAs awaiting appointment. As to the former issue the MUT has explained its concerns and those of its members and a way forward was found, whereby the Union will be forwarding its proposals on this issue. With regards to the LSA2 issue the Minister informed the Union that the DES will be receiving the necessary documentation from PAHRO to start recruitment by Friday 11th May. A number of other issues were discussed at this meeting and members involved will be informed of the outcome accordingly.

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10th May 2012

MCAST MUT Interim Agreement

All lecturers at MCAST are notified that the MUT and MCAST have reached an interim agreement regarding the issue of thesis and dissertations. The Union will be communicating with all members details of this agreement in the coming days. MUT will be communicating with MCAST to organise a meeting for all members concerned with this issue. Further details will be communicated shortly.

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9th May 2012

Suspension of directives at MCAST

The MUT is hereby suspending its directives concerning thesis projects and dissertations at MCAST to respect industrial relations praxis with the view of a conciliation meeting which is to take place at the DEIR this afternoon. The Union will communicate with its members accordingly following the meeting depending on the outcome.

MUT Secretariat

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9th May 2012

Directive on Core Competences

Reference to a communication issued from the Quality Assurance Department regarding the Core Competences Support Programme for Forms 1 and 2. The matter has not been discussed with the Union and there is presently no agreement about Core Competences in secondary schools. Furthermore the complementary support provided in primary schools is not present in secondary schools. The Union is therefore directing all members to refrain from carrying out any work associated with this initiative until the matter is discussed and an agreement is reached with the Directorates.

Furthermore it must be highlighted that in the primary sector, Core Competences involve only those students that need complementary support.

MUT Central Administration
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Attention ALL School Administrators

Gender Mainstreaming Circular

The Union has been informed about documents being circulated among Heads of schools regarding Gender Mainstreaming. While the Union appreciated the consultation with Heads of Schools on this matter, the Union believes that these are policies that have to be implemented and directed by the directorates and not by the individual state schools. Thus the Union is directing all its members to refrain from filling these documents and refer them back to the Directorate.

PQs

All School Administrators are reminded that the directive re. PQ's is still in force. The directive states that all administrators are to refrain from answering PQ's for which information and/or data has already been passed to the Directorates concerned.

MUT Central Administration

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3 ta' Mejju

L-MUT turi d-dizappunt taghha fil-konfront tal-UHM

Il-President tal-MUT kiteb lill-UHM u kkupjat lill-Unions kollha li jirraprezentaw lill-haddiema tac-civil wara li l-UHM iddikjarat tilwima mal-gvern fuq il-ftehim kollettiv tac-civil. Wara li l-Unions kollha pprovaw jahdmu flimkien matul dawn l-ahhar xhur l-MUT kienet tistenna li tal-anqas il-Unions l-ohra jkunu notifikati biex tittiehed pozizzjoni komuni.

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Following some queries from members, the Union would like to remind all members that the directive on attainment levels issued last month is still in force:

Directive on Attainment Levels

The Union has been informed that some teaching grades in primary state schools are being requested to fill-in attainment levels for students as part of the transition form booklet. The Union would like to clarify that there is no agreement about attainment levels and any related duties and is directing all teaching grades to refrain from filling any attainment level.

MUT Central Administration
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MUT National Conference

The Malta Union of Teachers is organizing a National Conference on the College System Reforms. During the Conference, the results of the study on the College System commissioned by the MUT will be presented by Prof. Mark Borg and Dr. Joseph Giordmaina. Other distinguished speakers include the Hon. Minister of Education, the Hon. Shadow Minister, the Education Speaker of Alternattiva Demokrattika and Mr. Martin Johnson - Deputy Secretary General of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (U.K.)

MUT Delegates will be receiving a registration form for the Conference by post. Members in schools where no official delegate exists are encouraged to nominate an MUT Member to be Conference Delegate/Observer - the relevant form may be downloaded here.

New Consultation by the Education Committee: Differentiation

The Education Committee will be carrying out a new consultation process with members about:

Differentiated teaching, differentiated curricula and differentiated assessment.

During this scholastic year some members raised queries with the Union regarding the duties associated with differentiated teaching and the resulting adaptation of work for different levels. Other queries were raised regarding syllabi, examinations and levels of assessment. The Education Committee would like to understand better these concerns and is hereby inviting all teaching grades to submit their views on the dedicated email edcommut@gmail.com.

All feedback received will be treated with the strictest confidence and will only be used by the Union to formulate its position on the matter.

The closing date for this consultation process is Monday 21st May 2012.

MUT Central Administration

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Directives to all San Anton Members

The Union has been made aware that members at San Anton School are being asked to change their current work practices. The Union is hereby directing all its members to refrain from changing their current work practices until such time as the Union and the School come to a written agreement.

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Peripatetic Teachers

The Union has written to Hon. Dolores Cristina to ask her to clarify the Ministry's position regarding the peripatetic service following recent engagements in the service made directly through PSC.

National Conference on College Reform System

The MUT will be organising a national conference on the topic in caption which will take place on May 29th. All Union delegates will be invited to this very important seminar as per usual procedures. Further details will be emailed and posted in the coming days. During this conference Prof. Mark Borg and his research team will present the results of their independent study.

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26th April 2012

Meetings outside school hours

The Union has been informed that staff briefings or similar meetings are being held in some schools outside school hours. The Union would like to clarify that there is no agreement regarding these practices. Furthermore there is no agreement regarding who should supervise students during these meetings. The Union is hereby directing all members to stick to the conditions laid out in agreements and report any pressure to undertake duties which are not in line with agreed practices.

MCAST thesis supervision

Following the deadline issued by the Union, MCAST has presented a better proposal to the MUT regarding thesis supervision. The Union acknowledged this proposal and has sent a counter proposal to PACBU and MCAST. The Union is expecting this matter to be resolved in 5 working days.

MUT Central Administration

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Course by the ILS Malta on the Fundamentals of the Law on Child Protection. Please follow the link for details

Link

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MCAST Bill Board - Update

Following representations by the MUT, the MCAST authorities have decided to remove the billboard in question with immediate effect.

Franklin Barbara

MCAST Bill Board

The MUT has today protested with the MCAST authorities for setting up a billboard portraying the image of a lecturer without her prior consent.

MCAST - Degree Theses Supervision

Following the declaration of a trade-dispute last month on the issue of compensation for degree theses supervision, the MUT has today intimated the issue of directives unless this issue is resolved within 24hours.

Franklin Barbara
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24th April 2012 - (extracted from MUT Circular 2/2012)

YOUTH SECTION- NEW COMMITTEE

Following the amendments to the MUT Statute to establish the MUT Youth Section which were carried out in the last General Conference, a call for nominations was issued in the past weeks and the Youth Section has been established. The new members of the Youth Section already had two meetings where they assigned the following roles:

Mr. Chris Vella (Chairperson)
Mr. Justin Schembri (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms. Adrienne Azzopardi (Secretary)
Mr. Jonathan Borg (Assistant Secretary)
Mr. Ruben Teeling (Communications Coordinator)

Members of the Youth Section are currently undergoing training so that they get accustomed to trade union practices and the operational procedures of committees. Mr. John Bencini, For.U.M. President conducted the first of a series of training sessions. Union officials would like to express their appreciation for the interest and the commitment of the new members of the Youth Section. MUT members who would like to contact the Youth Section may use the dedicated email address: mutyouth@gmail.com

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20th April 2012

a) DSS Transport dispute
b) Learning Support Assistants
c) ForUM Conference

Payment of Transport Duties

The MUT has just been informed by the Director DSS that payment will be affected together with the May salary.

Learning Support Assistants

The MUT has written to Dr. James Calleja on behalf of the LSAs awaiting appointment to ask for urgency in this case. The Union has solicited the Government to speed up the process.

The Union has also written to Dr. Calleja regarding LSAs in St. Lucia GSS who are not being compensated for extra hours.

ForUM Conference

All MUT members are invited to attend a conference organised by ForUM that is being held at the MUT on the 4th of May. The conference will tackle trade-unionism and politics and a number of distinct guests will be addressing the floor. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss with the panel. Attendance is free of charge but it would be appreciated if persons attending notify ForUM via email address president@forummalta.org .

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18th April 2012

Transport allowances - DSS

The MUT has formally written to the Permanent Secretary and has given till the end of next week for the issue of transport allowances to be resolved. If the situation remains unchanged the Union will be declaring a trade dispute and directing its members to report for work at the DSS office and stay there until transport is provided.

Meeting with the DES and DQSE

MUT officials will be meeting the Directors General today regarding the issue of probation for NQTs.

PL invitation

The MUT will be participating in a meeting organised by the PL, entitled "Education First", which will take place on April 28th at 9.30am at the Aula Magna, Old University in Valletta. The MUT will be airing its views on different aspects in Education.

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Dear colleague,

The MUT is organising a delegates' meeting on Thursday 26th April at 4pm.

All delegates are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. Schools/institutes whereby no delegates are appointed are strongly encouraged to send a representative, MUT member, to this meeting.

MUT Secretariat

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Directive to All MCAST Lecturing Staff Concerning Student Attendances During Leave Periods

Further to the MUT Directives concering the non-replacement of contact-hours and hours of work due to leave (sick-leave, special leave, maternity leave etc.) the Union is further directing MCAST Lecturing Staff to refrain from filling in Student Attendances for the period of such leave.

17th April 2012

Franklin Barbara
General Secretary
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17th April 2012

Incredible but True

The MUT has just written to the Minister to investigate a case whereby a particular supply teacher has not been paid any salary since September 2011. This incredible saga has led this person to leave the teaching profession in February due to financial restraints. The Union is expecting this issue to be resolved by not later than the end of the month.

Student Services

In the mean time the Union is also investigating claims where by members in Student Services Department have allegedly not been paid their transport allowances, in spite of being made to travel by their superiors.

Konferenza Organizzata mill-ForUM

Il-Forum Unions Maltin se jkun qed jorganizza konferenza ferm interessanti ghall-okkazjoni ta' Jum il-Haddiem bil-kollaborazzjoni tal-MUT. Din il-konferenza se jkollha t-tema 'It-Trejdunjonizmu u l-Politika' u se jkollha bhala kelliema diversi personalitajiet mid-dinja tal-gurnalizmu u mid-dinja tat-trejdunjonizmu kif ukoll opinjonisti maghrufa. Din il-konferenza, li se ssir fil-bini tal-MUT, se ssir nhar l-Gimgha 4 ta' Mejju u tibda fil-5pm. Jekk inti interessat tattendi ghal din il-konferenza, fejn tista wkoll tippartecipa fid-diskussjoni, mistieden li tkun fil-bini tal-Union fil-hin. Id-dhul ghal din il-konferenza hu b'xejn. Ikun apprezzat jekk tavza li se tattendi (minhabba konsiderazzjonijiet ta' spazju) fuq l-indirizz elettroniku president@forummalta.org. Il-programm finali se jkun ippubblikat fil-jiem li gejjin.

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13th April 2012

MCESD and ForUM

In Yesterday's Triennial Genberal Conference, Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi confirmed that the Government was tabling an amendment to the law governing MCESD with the purpose of including ForUM. Dr. Joseph Muscat, in the same meeting, confirmed that the Opposition was backing the inclusion of ForUM and would be doing its utmost to fast track the law making process.

Probation and Confirmation of NQT's

The Union is writing to Mr. Sandro Spiteri and Prof. Grace Grima to enquire after correspondence received by NQT's in which it appears that the probation period has been linked with the Warrant obtainment period. The Union had already discussed this issue with the DQSE whereby it was agreed that the probation period (and confirmation process) had to remain separate, even to reflect provisions of the law.

Options Groups - Update

In a recent meeting held between the MUT and the Hon. Minister Cristina, for which the Permanent Secretary and the Director General DES attended, the MUT was informed that the policy regarding the number of students taking options was revised and groups smaller than 5 students were being accepted. In the mean time the MUT has asked the Director General to issue a circular on the matter.

Supply Retired Kindergarten Assistants

The MUT has been informed by the Permanent Secretary in the same meeting mentioned above that these persons will receive their salary dues in April payment.

Hamrun Parking Schemes

In the same meeting mentioned above the Ministry and the Union agreed to set up a meeting with the Hamrun Local Council as well as Transport Malta regarding the issue of parking schemes around schools.

Msida Primary

The Union has received written communication from Dr. Frank Fabri, Principal, who confirmed that the school opening times for this school are between 08.30 and 14.30.

Principal taking Disciplinary Action against persons following a Union directive?

The Union is investigating a claim whereby it is being alleged that a certain college Principal is suggesting disciplinary action against individuals who are following a Union directive, without even bothering to contact the Union to see what the directive is about. The MUT cannot as yet confirm this claim but if it is found to be true the MUT will take immediate action in this College.

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Yesterday the MUT hosted the Triennal General conference of For.U.M entitled Unions' Contribution Towards Socio-Economic Strengthening. Delegates from the eleven affiliated Unions attended the conference which was addressed by the President of CMTU, the General Secretary of GWU, the Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister and For.U.M. Officials. Mr John Bencini who has been reconfirmed as For.U.M President delivered the concluding address.

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EASTER HOLIDAYS

The President and Council of the Malta Union of Teachers would like to extend best wishes to all members for a Happy Easter. Members are notified that the Union will be closed on Thursday 5th April and on Monday 9th April. The Union will be open as usual on Tuesday 10th April.

SPECIAL LEAVE

The MUT has been informed by members that in a small number of schools persons are not being allowed to take leave if they have lessons or are on duty. The Union draws the attention of all members that such procedures are illegal and are to inform the Union immediately so as for us to be able to take immediate action against the schools concerned. This holds for all schools and all educational institutions, including MCAST.

ForUM General Conference

The Malta Union of Teachers will be hosting the triennial General Conference of ForUM that will take place on Thursday 12th April. The General Conference will be addressed by the Hon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, the GWU General Secretary and the CMTU President, as well as ForUM President and other officials.

Collective Agreements and Meetings

During the past days MUT officials were involved in various negotiation meetings, including the Civil Service CA and MCAST CA. MUT officials also met with the Principal Permanent Secretary about various issues including queries regarding interviews. The PPS informed the Union that Government is planning a review of the system.

St Theresa College

The MUT is still awaiting for communication from this College's Principal to set up a meeting regarding school times within the College, especially concerning Primary Schools. The last communication from Dr. F. Fabri dates back to the 5th of March 2012.

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2nd April 2012

Directive on Attainment Levels

The Union has been informed that some teaching grades in primary state schools are being requested to fill-in attainment levels for students as part of the transition form booklet. The Union would like to clarify that there is no agreement about attainment levels and any related duties and is directing all teaching grades to refrain from filling any attainment level.

MUT Central Administration

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4th April 2012

Supply KGAs not paid their salary

The Union has written to the Minister to intervene with urgency after it emerged that KGAS that have been employed on a supply basis since February have not been paid their salaries to date.

Job Exposure

Following reports from members that the DSS is assuming responsibility in any cases that may arise related to job exposure placements, the Union has written to Mr. George Borg to clarify the matter. The Union is awaiting a reply from the DSS. Until such time as this issue is clarified with the Union all members are directed to refrain from taking part from job exposure exercises since there is no legal framework to support them in case of accident/abuse on the work place.

With regards to Church schools, the Union has been informed that the Church Authorities are seeking legal advice. The Union reminds all members that the directive on job exposure also holds for Church schools until such time as this issue is settled.

Writing of Syllabi

The MUT has written to the Director General DQSE to ask for details about the recruitment and selection process in connection with the call of applications in connection with the writing of Form 2 syllabus. The Union will publish these details when they are received.

LSAII Interview Results

The Union has been informed by the Director General DES that results from the PSC for LSA2 interviews are published and may be viewed at the PSC offices as per procedure.

LSAII progression

Members who are awaiting progression from the grade of LSA1 as per agreement are informed that the Union and the DES are in agreement over procedures as explained and a document has been drafted. The Union is waiting for the DES to set up a signatory meeting.

Conference organised by the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health is organising a conference on the 13th April for which educators are welcome to attend. Please find details in the link below:

http://mbalzan.net/benefits/2012-respira-conf/RESPIRA-programme-conference-ok.pdf

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MUT PR 9 2012

MCAST Requests Lecturers to Replace Working-Time for Leave and Public Holidays

The MUT is informed that MCAST lecturers are being requested to replace contact-time and/or working-time following special-leave or sick-leave. Moreover, the Union is also informed that the top-management of MCAST is insisting that contact-time lost during Public Holidays is replaced during the following working-days.

The MUT has been drawing the attention of MCAST top-management about these issues for a long time, however these practices have persisted in spite of the Union's repeated appeals.

In the circumstances, the Union has no alternative but to direct all lecturing staff at MCAST not to replace contact or working-time following special-leave, sick-leave, maternity-leave or public holidays in order to safeguard their basic rights.

The Union calls upon the Education Authorities to curb these practices once and for all.

28th March 2012

MUT Public Relations Office

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MUT PR 8 2012

MUT Declares Trade Dispute with MCAST

The Malta Union of Teachers has today declared a trade-dispute with MCAST.

MCAST lecturers are being expected to tutor/supervise theses of students following degree courses without any compensation whatsoever. The Union has been informed that MCAST top-management is expecting tutoring/supervision of theses as a matter of right even though this duty is not part of the existing Collective Agreement. To add insult to injury, the lecturers at MCAST are not regarded as academics or - at least as tertiary institution educators - by the same top-management who expects them to perform a wide range of duties, including purely academic ones without any compensation.

The Union's proposals for an ad interim solution are being met with procrastination and a non-committal attitude. Presently, MCAST lecturers are carrying this work gratis and out of respect for their students. Unfortunately, this commendable attitude is being taken advantage of and thus MCAST lecturers' commitment and dedication is being short-changed.

The MUT believes that this anomalous and unjust situation should be rectified without delay and adequate given to the dedicated and hardworking lecturing staff of MCAST.

27th March 2012

MUT Public Relations Office

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27th March 2012

E-learning platform: Undue pressure on teaching grades in state schools

The Union received reports about undue pressure on teaching grades to upload teaching material and resources on the E-learning platform. The Union would like to clarify that there is presently no agreement about the implementation of the E-learning platform. A series of meetings with the DQSE have been scheduled to discuss the parameters of implementation of the E-learning platform. All teaching grades are directed to refrain from using the E-learning platform (except for training purposes) until an agreement is reached.

MUT Central Administration

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Handling of ECDL Applications by ICT Teachers

Reference the above captioned, the Union has been informed that Teachers of ICT have been asked to handle ECDL applications and take charge of their return to the school administration.

This is the first occurrence of such practice and teachers are advised that they are not obliged to carry out this procedure. For future reference, the teachers concerned are advised to contact the MUT immediately.

Kindly keep this e-mail for your reference.

Franklin Barbara

General Secretary

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22nd March 2012

MUT News Updates

An email was sent to all MUT members containing the following topics:

Topics
a) Ezercizzi
b) Parenting Skills Course
c) E-Learning Platform
d) Collective Agreement - St. Martin's College
e) MCAST
f) Civil Service CA
g) Meeting with PPS
h) Meeting for Delegates

If you have not received an email please contact the Union to update your email address or to check whether your email address is in our database. This may be done by contacting Ms Stephania Falzon on membership@mut.org.mt or on 21222663 - 21237815 during office hours.

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MUT PR 7 2012

L-MUT issellem lil Fr. Peter Serracino Inglott

Ill-Kunsill tal-Malta Union of Teachers isellem lir-Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott, Rettur Emeritus tal-Universita' ta' Malta.

L-MUT tirringrazzja lir-Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott ghall-kontribut kbir tieghu fil-qasam akkademiku u edukattiv, l-aktar fis-snin fejn taht ir-rettorat tieghu zdied drastikament l-ammont ta' studenti u gradwati.

L-MUT thossha onorata li hadmet ma Fr Peter fuq diversi ftehim matul ir-Rettorat tieghu.

Il-Kunsill tal-MUT jaghti l-kondoljanzi sincieri lill-familja ta' Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.

20 ta' Marzu 2012

Ufficcju Relazzjonijiet Pubblici, MUT

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MUT PR 6

No Internet Access at MCAST Art and Design Institute

The MUT would like to register its concern at the lack of provision for adequate internet access at the MCAST Art and Design Institute.

The Union is informed that this state of affairs has prevailed for approximately two-years, in spite of repeat appeals by academic staff at the institute on the vital importance of internet access for teaching and lecture preparation.

When contacted upon this issue, MCAST top-management said that internet access would be restored by the end of the month but no definite commitment was taken in this regard.

The Union considers this state of affairs as completely unacceptable especially in view of the fact that the academic staff are resorting to their own resources (at their expense) apart from doing work outside their working hours in order not to disadvantage their students.

The Union is convinced that reason and goodwill should prevail. Thus necessary funds should be deployed to ensure the restoration of internet access at the Institute of Art and Design without further delay.

14th March 2012

MUT Public Relations Office

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Dear MCAST Member,

As you might be aware, the MUT has filed a case with the Industrial Tribunal against MCAST over misleading
Information on taxation on overtime/part-time work with MCAST or MG2I.

If you have performed overtime/part-time work with MCAST during the year 2010-2011, you are kindly requested to fill in the form being circulated in relation to this case.

It is imperative that all concerned sign the form by the end of this week, since submissions have to
reach the Tribunal by Wednesday of next week.

In case of any difficulties, kindly contact the undersigned.

Best Regards,

Franklin Barbara

Click here for form

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14th March 2012

Lifting of the directive on inputting of practical marks in view of the agreement reached with the DQSE.

Reference to the directive on inputting of practical marks in secondary schools issued in February 2012. The Union reached an agreement with the DQSE regarding inputting of marks for practical (or project work) of SEC exams. As communicated in letter circular CMeLD 59/2012, teaching grades can input marks by using the traditional method or else by using the online system. The Union has been insisting that it needs to be involved in any change of MATSEC practices. Any online system may only be introduced if traditionasl inputting methods remain in place. The deadline established by MATSEC is Friday 16th March 2012. Teaching grades who may not be able to input marks by the stipulated deadline are urged to infom the Union by emailing on info@mut.org.mt or by calling the MUT secretariat during office hours.

MUT Central Administration
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12th March 2012

Practice of using online spreadsheets in state schools: reminder and clarification

Reference to the directive on the use of online spreadsheets. The Union would like to remind members that this directive is still in place. Following a number of queries from members, the Union would like to clarify that it has no agreement about any online practice. If these practices are adopted by schools, there must be alternative means of inputting data available to all officers in all schools without the necessity of using an online system for inputting data.

Directive

The union received several queries regarding the practice of using online spreadsheets in state schools for inputting results, comments for parents' days and similar duties. These practices which are supposed to be facilitating coordination and inputting of information are replacing standard practices of using prepared sheets or computerised spreadsheets in some cases. These practices require online access and very often teachers have no time to carry out these duties at school due to limited time and internet access. In view of this, the Union is directing all teachers to use traditional methods for inputting results, comments for parents' days and similar duties until an agreement is reached with Directorates about online practices. The Union would also like to clarify that it has no agreement about the implementation of any online work practices including the e-learning platform.

9th March 2012

Directive on Job Exposure - update


The MUT is hereby reminding all teaching grades that the directive on Job Exposure is still in force. The Union was never involved in any discussion about Job Exposure and has various reservations regarding the practice introduced last year together with new practices which are being introduced during this scholastic year. This directive applies to all Job Exposure practices including the National Job Exposure initiative in Health, ICT and Finance. ALL teaching grades are directed not to undertake any work in connection with any Job Exposure initiative. This includes identifying students, carrying out interviews, accompanying students on work placements and any other work related to Job Exposure. Members are requested to inform the Union to take the necessary measures if there is any undue pressure to undertake duties related to Job Exposure.

MUT Central Administration
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9th March 2012

DIRECTIVES SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

The MUT is hereby directing all its members in school administration teams (SMT) to refrain from answering to an email requesting details about foreign students in their schools. This information should already be in possession of the DES and the MUT believes that Heads of Schools and Assistant Heads have already too much work to cope with without having to duplicate work that should be done by officials within the DES.

REDUCED HOURS - Agreement Reached

Following representations by the MUT, and discussions held with DES, PACBU and PAHRO, an agreement has been reached to fine tune the mechanisms of reduced hours within state schools. The agreement includes consideration of preparation time as part of the load (and hence payment) and the suspension of parental leave (which can be utilised later according to PSMC regulations). In view of this persons currently on reduced hours are advised to check with the DES about their current conditions while persons who are about to apply will be presented with a newly designed application form which reflects the agreement reached.

Furthermore, discussions will be ensuing in the coming months to find a way forward to extend this entitlement on all education grades, since various technical difficulties need to be sorted out.

MATERNITY LEAVE

Another topic currently in discussion between MUT, PAHRO, PACBU and the DES is the issue of Maternity Leave which clashes with holidays. The Union has rejected a proposal by the government and will present a counter proposal in the coming days.

TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE

Support teachers working with the DSS will be granted their entitlement for transport allowance following representations by the MUT. The Union held discussions with the Ministry and the DES and the issue was resolved.

MUT Central Administration
_________________________________________________________________

9th March 2012

Stop the Execution of an Iranian Teacher - You can Help! -

Click here to read more.

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8th March 2012

International Women's Day 2012 - message from the MUT

The Union Council and Union Officials would like to send their best wishes to female members on the International Women's Day 2012 which is being celebrated today. Local figures with regards to the ratio of female employees to male employees in the teaching professions clearly indicate that the great majority of employees in the teaching professions are females. Although this occasion is usually marked by messages from unions and movements who compare salaries and working conditions of male and female employees, our Union does not have any issue with different salaries or working conditions but some persistent issues affect all teaching grades.

Earlier this week there was a report in a local news portal claiming that school hours in Malta are amongst the lowest in EU. This was the last of a series of orchestrated media campaigns to put forward the issue of teachers' working hours. Yesterday the Union requested a copy of the report (Eurydice) quoted in the said article by the correspondent in Brussels. When the quoted figures were examined carefully, the outcome differs greatly from the interpretation given in the news portal. Whereas the majority of countries provided a figure of 40 hours as the overall working time, certainly based on the average forty hour week of civil servants, the figures presented by our country were the availability at school (28 hours) and the teaching time (20 to 26 hours) . When one erratically compares these figures to the overall working time of 40 hours provided by the majority of the countries, Malta stands as one of the lowest with regards to teachers' working hours. However one needs to compare like with like. If we compare the teaching time figure of 26 hours in primary schools to the rest of the countries included in the study, we clearly observe that this figure is one of the highest with only one country having a higher figure. But clearly this did not constitute news value and was not certainly what the orchestrated media campaign wanted to portray! The Eurydice report can be accessed by following the link

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/134EN.pdf

Directive: Polling Booths in schools

Following a number of queries by members, the Union is directing teachers and kindergarten assistants in state shools to refrain from removing charts and other teaching materials from the classrooms in view of the setting up of polling booths by the electoral commission.

MUT Central administration

_________________________________________________________________

7th March 2012

EURYDICE study quoted in the article of the 6th March about teaching hours

Following the article in timesofmalta.com regarding teaching hours, the MUT requested a copy of the Eurydice study to the Education. Audiovisula and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. The study is available by following the link. Reference to figures contained in the said article must have been extracted from Figure E8 on pg 121 which clearly does not require any further explanation!

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/134EN.pdf

Marco Bonnici
Senior Vice President

_________________________________________________________________

7th March 2012

Maltese Teachers' school hours among lowest in the EU?

Maybe correspondents in Brussels are not in touch with French President's Sarkozy's proposal in the past days to increase teachers' hours in France from the present 18 hours to 26 hours! And he is proposing an increase in salary of 25% to teachers (approximately 500 Euro) which was described as unacceptable by the French Unions representing teaching grades as the salary increase is not proportional to the increase in contact hours.

If mathematics is not an opinion, the reported 28 hour week of Maltese teachers as one of the lowest in the EU is higher than the present 18 hours of French teachers and also higher than the proposed increase to 26 hours by the French President!

As usual, the problem is not statistics but the ones who try to put forward their own interpretation.

Marco Bonnici
Senior Vice President

6th March 2012

St. Theresa College - Weekend Activities - DIRECTIVES

The Union has been made aware that St. Theresa College are organising a weekend of activities in the near future.

Members of all grades are reminded that involvement in such activities can only be done on a voluntary basis and any grades being forced to organise an activity outside school hours in relation with this or other events are directed to inform the Union immediately and to refrain from taking part.

Teachers on Clerical Duties - Directives

Teaching grades who are currently performing clerical duties have been asked to fill in and sign a declaration form. The MUT has written to the DES to ask for an explanation on this form. But as yet no reply has been received. Hence all members are hereby directed to refrain from signing this form until the issue is clarified with the Union.

Education Officers

Education Officers have contacted the Union about a schedule of meetings taking place in the coming days. The Union has written to the person in charge of these meetings due to the fact that the timetable does not reflect the break times as stipulated by the working hours schedule.

_________________________________________________________________

"European Equal Pay Day - EU Commission Campaign"

Dear Colleagues,

Today is Equal Pay Day. We would like to draw your attention to the European Commission campaign which you could disseminate on your website.

Youtube video (in all official EU languages):

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-pay-gap/index_en.htm

Campaign materials (brochure, posters, map, quiz - in all official EU languages):

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-pay-gap/promotional-material/index_en.htm

Best regards,

The secretariat

_________________________________________________________________

2nd March 2012

DIRECTIVE - ATTENDANCE on FRONTER

The MUT would like to notify all its members that to date there exists no agreement between the Union and the Government about the use of Fronter. Thus until such time as an agreement is reached all members are directed to refrain from filling attendance data on this system.

Consultation about IWB and the e-learning Platform in state schools- reminder

The Education Committee is still receiving feedback about Interactive Whiteboards the e-learning platform on the dedicated email edcommut@gmail.com Members who are presently using the Interactive Whiteboard or who are attending training about the e-learning platform are urged to send their feedback by the 15th March 2012. Feedback will enable the Union to have an informed position to carry out negotiations abut the e-learning strategy. All emails received will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Youth Section - update

In the past weeks, the MUT electoral committee has been receiving nominations from young members aged 18 to 35 to establish the MUT Youth Section. The composition of the MUT Youth Section will be announced in the coming days following the conclusion of the process.

_________________________________________________________________

1st March 2012

MUT Working groups

Dear members,

Today we sent an email to all members who showed interest in joining the MUT working groups. If you did not receive this communication please email me on svpresident@mut.org.mt

Other members who would like to join working groups are encouraged to contact us at the earliest.

Regards
Marco Bonnici
Senior Vice President

_________________________________________________________________

MUT Meeting with Shadow Minister for Education and Hamrun Mayor

The Union President will be meeting the Hon. E. Bartolo and the Mayor of Hamrun in a meeting later on today to discuss a way forward in the impasse created by the local council by its decision to implement residents' parking around schools.

Meeting with Principal Permanent Secretary

The Union has requested a meeting with the PPS (Dr. Godwin Grima) to discuss some major issues raised by its members, including interview procedures.

MCAST Tribunal Case

MUT has been notified with the opening of the case in the Industrial Tribunal concerning the issue of tax rates at MCAST. All members at MCAST who have evidence that may help the Union in its cause are asked to kindly contact the General Secretary, Mr. Barbara on gensec@mut.org.mt. The case will commence in April.

_________________________________________________________________

29 Ta' Frar 2012

Is-CMTU taghzel li ma tippartecipax f'attivita' miltuba mill-ETUC

Il-Kungress Ewropew tat-Trade Unions (ETUC) talab lill-konfederazzjonijiet kollha fi hdanha biex illum, 29 ta' Frar 2012, kull Konfederazzjoni membru taghha jaghmel xi attivita biex jghaddi messagg qawwi lill-mexxejja Ewropej kontra l-mizuri ta' awsterita u favur tkattir tal-ekonomija. Ghaldaqstant it-tliet Konfederazzjonijiet Maltin (ForUM, GWU u CMTU) iltaqghu u hasbu biex jaghmlu konferenza stampa u jwasslu ittra lill-Prim Ministru bil-messagg tal-ETUC. Madanakollu ghal xi raguni is-CMTU iddecidiet fl-ahhar mumenti li ma tippartecipax f'dan l-avveniment u se tkun l-unika konfederazzjoni fl-Ewropa li ma hix se tinghaqad mal-kumplament tal-haddiema Ewropej biex twassal il-messagg tal-ETUC.

Intant l-MUT hadet sehem permezz tal-ufficjali taghha f'din il-konferenza stampa.

Iktar dettalji dwar din il-gurnata jinstabu fuq

http://www.etuc.org/a/9723/

Directive to Education Officers

The attention of the MUT has been drawn to the fact that Education Officers have been ordered to deliver lessons, approximately two mornings a week.

The Union would like to make it very clear that it has no agreement about this matter and is thus directing Education Officers to refrain from delivering such lessons, pending discussions with the DQSE.

L-MUT tikteb lis-Sur F Fabri dwar l-iskola tal-Imsida

L-MUT kitbet lis-Sur Fabri, Principal tal-Kullegg ta' Santa Tereza, sa biex tigi nformata dwar il-hin tal-ftuh u tal-gheluq tal-iskola primarja tal-Imsida billi jidher li hemm konfuzjoni f'dan ir-rigward.

Practice of using online spreadsheets in state schools

The union received several queries regarding the practice of using online spreadsheets in state schools for inputting results, comments for parents' days and similar duties. These practices which are supposed to be facilitating coordination and inputting of information are replacing standard practices of using prepared sheets or computerised spreadsheets in some cases. These practices require online access and very often teachers have no time to carry out these duties at school due to limited time and internet access. In view of this, the Union is directing all teachers to use traditional methods for inputting results, comments for parents' days and similar duties until an agreement is reached with Directorates about online practices. The Union would also like to clarify that it has no agreement about the implementation of any online work practices including the e-learning platform.

28th February, 2012

Ezercizzi tar-Randan

L-MUT, bl-ghajnuna tac-Chaplain Fr. Thomas Moore, se tkun qed torganizza ezercizzi spiritwali ghall-membri taghha u mistiedna taghhom fis-26, 27 u 28 ta' MARZU 2012. Dawn l-ezercizzi se jsiru fil-Kappella storika tal-Vitorja fil-Belt Valletta (faccata tal-Berga ta' Kastilja) u se jsiru fis-6pm. L-ezercizzi se jitmexxew minn Fr. Charles Vella. Aktar dettalji se tircevuhom fil-granet li gejjin. L-attendenza se tkun bla hlas. Ikun ferm apprezzat jekk il-membri li jkunu se jattendu ghal dawn l-ezercizzi jinnotifikaw lill-Union billi jsir kuntatt mas-Segretarja, is-Sra. Doris Camilleri, fuq info@mut.org.mt jew inkella fuq 21222663, 21237815 waqt hinijiet tal-ufficju. L-ezercizzi se jkunu bil-Malti.

Working Groups Update

Following the introductory meeting for members interested in joining the MUT Working Groups held on Thursday 23rd February, the following Working Groups have been established:

Members of these groups will be contacted by Union Officials soon.

The follow four groups require more members to be established:

The Union is therefore extending its appeal to members to join the above groups so that all grades are represented. Interested members can contact Union Officials or send an email to info@mut.org.mt by Monday 5th March 2102.

E-Learning Platform

MUT has written to Dr. Godwin Grima, PPS and MITA Chairman, to protest against Press Releases that are being issued on the E-Learning platform, when in a meeting it had been agreed that this will be discussed in the coming months. The Union had already asked the PPS to make sure no firther press releases are issued until an agreement is reached.

Notice to all Teachers of German

The MUT has been notified by members that teachers of German have been asked to compile material with their resources for a CD. Members are notified that such practices are only done at one's own discretion and no member is obliged to do such work.

Urgent Action Appeal - Bahrain
Free jailed trade union leader Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb

Dear colleagues,
As an affiliate, the Malta Union of Teachers is strongly supporting Education International Campaign to free a jailed trade union leader in Bahrain. Teacher's trade union activists were persecuted for the legitimate right to hold pacific protests. Most lost their job. The leader was jailed. We urge you to express solidarity by visiting the page below and simply send a protest message at the touch of a button.

You can help!

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1247&src=ei

Kevin Bonello
President
Malta Union of Teachers
www.mut.org.mt
21222663 - 99458134

_________________________________________________________________

24th February 2012

Directive on inputting of practical marks in secondary schools

The Union has been informed that some teachers are being requested to input marks for practical (or project work) of SEC exams in an online system that can be accessed from school. The Union did not receive any information about this new practice and is hereby directing all teachers to maintain the current practice of providing marks for practical work on class lists.

Lifting of directive to SMT on codes of Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors

The Union is hereby lifting the directive to SMT in state schools on codes of Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors following discussions with the DQSE. The Union has been assured that the procedure to check codes of IWB and Projectors will only be undertaken once by the school and any future communication regarding similar issues will only be issued by the Directorates and not by MITA.

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

23rd February 2012

Reminder: Meeting for Working Groups

The introductory meeting for members who are interested in joining the MUT Working Groups will be held today (23rd February) at 4.00pm at MUT, Valletta

Nominations - Youth Section

The MUT Election committee will be receiving nominations for members aged 18 to 35 who would like to join the MUT Youth Section until Friday 24th February 2012. Please follow the link for further details. MUT YOUTH SECTION nomination forms (click here to download).

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

22nd February 2011

Please find the latest press release of FOR.U.M:

Link

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Press Release:
Unbearable low temperatures in state schools

The Union received several reports from members in state schools regarding the working conditions of teaching grades and the learning environment of students during this period characterised by inclement weather. The Union issued a Press Release which can be accessed by following the link

Link

_________________________________________________________________

Events for Charity

The MUT has been asked to help publicise charity events being organised by different foundations. Kindly find posters of two different events hereunder.

Marathon for charity events

St. Joan Antide Charity Event

MUT PR Office

_________________________________________________________________

Call for Applications for LSA I

The MUT has written to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education urging the issue of a Call for Applications for LSA I. The Union is insisting for timely issue of the call now that the LSAs in question have completed the requisite course.

Franklin Barbara

_________________________________________________________________

Parenting Skills Course @ MUT

The Malta Union of Teachers is organising a short 6 session course in Parental Skills. The course is open to all couples who are parents or prospective parents. For more details please look at the linked document below.

Link

MUT Secretariat

_________________________________________________________________

15th February 2012

SMT in state schools are reminded that the directive issued on the 11th January 2012 is still in force. Details follow:

Request to SMT by MITA

The Union has been informed that SMT in state schools are being requested by MITA to check and confirm location and codes of Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors. Members of the SMT are directed to refrain from providing this information until the Union reaches an agreement about the matter with Directorates.

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

14th February 2012

Directive to Teaching Grades within the Student Services

Teaching Grades in student services (including INCOs) are directed to refrain from signing any attendance document(including Attendance Log Books) except for the official time-sheet at their respective schools/places of work, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Code.

MUT Central Administration

14th February 2012

Training on Interactive Whiteboards and the e-learning platform

Following a series of reports by members regarding training of IWB and e-learning, Union officials had a meeting with Mr. Raymond J. Camilleri, Director Curriculum Management and eLearning and the following was agreed:

Trainers who delivered the IWB courses were supposed to deliver technical training about the resource and were not reproducing policies of the directorates. Therefore any reference to assessment of teaching grades making use of this resource was inappropriate and unfounded;

Although trainers of e-learning platform are making reference to the registration of students as the first step in the implementation process, the Union has no agreement with the directorates on the implementation of the e-learning platform.

Members are reminded that the MUT Education Committee is presently running a consultation exercise regarding the IWB and e-learning platform. Feedback can be sent through the dedicated email edcommut@gmail.com.

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

13th February 2012

Parental TAX

Following representations by the MUT at Ministerial level, circulars explaining about the issue of parental tax have been issued to schools from the Directorate of Corporate Services. These circulars should have reached all schools by the end of last week. All interested members are encouraged to obtain a copy of the circulars. Further information may be obtained by making contact with the Customer Care section at the Inland Revenue Department.

Leave for Election Candidates

Following representations by the Union with the PACBU, PAHRO and the Ministry of Education, as well as correspondence exchanges over the past days, the Government has made it clear that unpaid leave for election candidates is optional.

13th February 2012

Call for Nominations: MUT YOUTH SECTION 2012-2014

Dear Member,

The MUT Election Board is accepting nominations from all teaching grades aged 18 to 35 to join the MUT YOUTH SECTION. Duly filled nomination forms (click here to download) must reach the the Union by Friday 24th February 2012. Further information about the composition and aims of the MUT YOUTH SECTION can be obtained by consulting Section XV of the MUT Statute (click here to download) or by contacting Union Officials.

Regards

MUT Election Board

_________________________________________________________________

L-MUT Tikteb lis-Segretarju Permanenti dwar Gradi tal-Ghalliema u l-Elezzjonijiet tal- Kunsilli Lokali

L-MUT kitbet lis-Segretarju Permanenti fil-Ministeru tal-Edukazzjoni dwar grad ital-ghalliema li bi hsiebhom jikkontestaw l-Elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali.

Il-pozizzjoni tal-MUT hi li gradi tal-ghalliema li jkunu ser jikkontestaw l-Elezzjoni ghandhom jithallew fid-diskrezzjoni taghhom jekk juzawx jew le il-leave ghal dan il-ghan, anki in vista tal-obbligi professjonali taghhom fir-rigward tal-istudenti u l-immanigjar tal-iskejjel. Dan b'mod partikolari fi zminijiet delikati fejn l-istudenti jkunu ghaddejjin minn fazijiet ta' assessment jew ezamijiet.

Franklin Barbara
_________________________________________________________________

9th February 2012

MUT Working Groups - Update

Dear Member,

An Introductory Meeting for Members of the MUT Work Groups will be held on
Thursday 23rd February 2012 at 4.00pm, at the MUT Offices.

Other MUT members who have not yet informed the Union about their interest in joining a working group
may still do so and are urged to email us at the earliest on info@mut.org.mt

We look forward to meeting you all and start off the work of the various groups.

_________________________________________________________________

Click here for MUT Press release - 08/02/2012

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Colleagues,

Following the consultation process about the National Curriculum Framework carried out in the past months, the MUT Education Committee will be carryinig out a consultation exercise about the e-learning strategy; namely interactive whiteboards and the e-learning platform. During the coming weeks the Union will be involved in negotiations with the directorates regarding the matter. The feedback received will thus enable the Union to formulate its position regarding the e-learning strategy.

Members are requested to forward their feedback by means of the dedicated email edcommut@gmail.com. The MUT Education Committee will consider all emails received, except anonymous feedback. All emails received will be treated with the strictest confidence.The consultation process is now open and will close on the 15th March 2012.

Looking forward to receive your contributions.

Regards

Marco Bonnici
Senior Vice President
_________________________________________________________________

6th February 2012

MCAST

Discussions between the MUT and MCAST took place last week and a number of issues were tackled. Issues included those raised by the Automobile section.

State Schools

The issue regarding the clause whereby teaching grades "are expected" to be on premises 10 minutes before is re-emerging. The Union would like to make it very clear that the 10 minutes in questions are NOT mandatory. The issue had materialised some years back when Dr. Louis Galea was Minister of Education and no agreement for compensation of these times had been reached. Thus an agreement was reached whereby while it is ideal that teaching grades are 10 minutes before the official school opening times this is not mandatory and it cannot be enforced. Added to this schools that are commencing assemblies before official opening time are in breach of the agreement. Members are to inform the Union accordingly.

Sectional Committees

A number of members have approached the Union regarding the sectional committees advertised last week. All members who are interested are to contact the Union on info@mut.org.mt. If there is enough interest the primary section and secondary section committees will be split so that a group may focus on peripatetic service.

Inputting of HY assessment and examinations

The Union received several queries from members in secondary schools regarding the spliting of assessment marks into separate components and duplicated inputting of marks. The Union would like to clarify that teachers are required to:

Provide a global assessment mark for each student;
Input the global assessment and examination marks only once.

Any undue pressure to carry out other duties regarding splitting or inputting of marks should be reported to the Union.

MUT Secretariat

_________________________________________________________________

3rd February 2012

Follow up of the meeting for Complementary Teachers

The MUT Education Commitee would like to thank the Complementary Teachers who attended yesterday's meeting. A number of issues emerged during the meeting. Complementary Teachers who did not manage to attend the meeting but may still want to raise issues regarding their roles, duties and conditions of work are encouraged to send an email at the earliest to edcommut@gmail.com. All emails received will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Education Committee

_________________________________________________________________

MUT PR 2 2012

MUT Demands Explanation on Lack of Payment of COLA and Delays in the issue of Payslips to MCAST Lecturers

The Malta Union of Teachers has today written to Prof Maurice Grech, Principal of MCAST demanding an explanation over the non-issuing of payslips and lack of payment of COLA to a number of lecturers.

The Union expects immediate rectification of these misgivings. The Union is also expecting MCAST to launch an investigation into the matter with the view of avoiding repetition of such situations.

1st February 2012

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

Directive to MCAST Lecturing Staff

The attention of the Union has been drawn to the fact that academic staff at MCAST conducting sessions in laboratories and/or workshops are being expected to carry out duties pertaining to other grades, including amongst other things: Cleaning, calibration, alignment or re-setting of apparata/instruments/machinery/tools.

In view of these circumstances, the Union is directing lecturing staff to abide by their job description as lecturers as listed in the MCAST-MUT agreement and refrain from carrying out such tasks.

31st January 2012

Franklin Barbara
General Secretary

_________________________________________________________________

MUT PR 1 2012

L-MUT tistenna spjegazzjoni dwar in-nuqqas ta' hlas tas-Supervizjoni u arrangamenti dwar il-Parental Tax Rate

L-MUT kitbet lid-Direttorat tas-Servizzi Edukattivi biex titlob spjegazzjoni kif il-gradi kollha tal-ghalliema fl-iskejjel tal-istat ma thallsux tas-supervizjoni fiz-zmien stipulat. Wara li l-Union saqsiet lid-Direttorat dwar il-kwistjoni, it-twegiba kienet li l-kapijiet tal-iskejjel ma baghtux il-formoli fil-hin. Dan irrz.ulta li ma kien veru xejn tant li l-iskejjel kollha gew affetwati minn dan in-nuqqas serju.
Ghaldaqstant l-MUT issa tistenna li ssir investigazzjoni dwar dan in-nuqqas u jittiehdu l-passi kollha biex min hu nkarigat jerfa' ir-responsabbilta' u jitlob apologija lil kull min gie affetwat bl-inefficjenza tieghu. Il-Union tistenna wkoll li dan l-izball ma jergax jirrepeti ruhu.
L-MUT turi wkoll thassib serju dwar in-nuqqas ta' arrangamenti mill-awtoritajiet edukattivi sabiex il-gradi tal-ghalliema jibbenefikaw mill-parental tax rate. Filwaqt li hafna kumpaniji privati u dipartimenti tal-gvern diga ggwidaw lill-haddiema taghhom dwar dan, l-awtoritajiet edukattivi ma jidher li ma ghamlu ebda arrangamenti fir-rigward. L-MUT tistenna li jsiru l-arrangamenti necessarji sabiex il-gradi tal-ghalliema jibbenefikaw mill-parental tax rate minghajr aktar dewmien.

30 ta' Jannar 2012

Franklin Barbara
Segretarju Generali

_________________________________________________________________

27th January 2012

Dear member, the Union needs your input…

The Malta Union of Teachers is setting up a number of working groups to cover the various sectors which are represented. These working groups have the objective to advise the MUT Council on specific matters concerning their sector, so that the Council can take an informed stand or position. The working groups will not be involved in trade-unionist work of any kind and will not be expected to enter into negotiations and/or bargaining. The working groups are to meet at the MUT premises at an average rate of one meeting per month with meetings scheduled according to member's exigencies. The groups will be chaired by Council members who will then report feedback from each group to the Council. Looking forward to have you on board.

The application form to join the working groups can be accessed by following the link:

Link

_________________________________________________________________

26th January 2012

Directives to ALL TEACHERS

The MUT would like to clarify that it has no agreement whatsoever on the following:

a) The handing in of detailed answer sheets to the Directorate on examination papers in both primary and secondary schools that have been prepared (and are to be corrected) by teachers (Reference made to Circular CMeLD 178/2011)
b) The preparation of adapted papers in all levels (reference made to Circular QAD 10/2012)
c) The translation of examination papers to English or any other languages

The MUT is hence directing its members to refrain from doing such work as explained above and ignore both circulars until such time as an agreement is reached between the DQSE and the MUT.

The directives also hold for Church schools.

_________________________________________________________________

MUT Central Administration

24th January 2012

MUT's Facebook Engagement Policy

Following the ongoing commitment by Union officials to reach all members, the MUT Facebook group is becoming a forum for sharing information, discussing concerns, and analysing issues. To continue to provide the best service to members, the Union is hereby presenting its MUT Facebook Policy. The policy can be accessed by following the link below:

Link

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

24th January 2012


In-Service Courses - Examination Access Arrangements - ITS - School Visits - School Delegates - MUT Youth Section

In Service Courses

The MUT would like to clarify the following points with its members:

a) All inset courses that are being followed during the scholastic year are in lieu of the summer courses. Persons who attend these courses are not obliged to attend a summer inset. Inset courses after school hours can only be held every two years.
b) Compulsory courses are those where the employer asks you formally to attend. In the absence of compulsory courses teaching grades may attend voluntary courses ONLY on a voluntary basis.

Examination Access Special Arrangements

The MUT highly recommends that no teacher and/or LSA and/or any other teaching grade should accept a situation whereby they are asked to stay alone with a single child in a classroom during examinations.


ITS Meeting

As notified earlier in www.mut.org.mt negotiation talks are continuing as scheduled.

School Visits

As part of routine school visits that the MUT carries out, this week MUT officials visited other state primary school. Several visits are planned in other state schools, Church schools, MCAST institutes and Independent Schools. MUT delegates who would like to organise a school visit are kindly asked to contact the Union.

School Delegates

The MUT would like to repeat its appeal to its members in those schools where a delegate is not yet appointed. The role of the school delegate is primarily to serve as liaison between the members and the Union on collective issues. In view of the various developments that are currently coming up school delegates play a very important informational role and the lack of a delegate may prove detrimental. The MUT statute empowers members on the place of work to choose their own delegate/s and these cannot be appointed directly by Union officials. Members interested in this role are encouraged to contact the MUT for further information on questions of process to be done and/or on the actual role.


Youth Section

In the coming days the MUT General Secretary will be convening the Electoral Committee to initiate the process to setup the youth section as per statute. A number of persons have shown interest in the past weeks. Persons who would like more information are kindly asked to contact the Union asap.

_________________________________________________________________

23rd January 2012

LSA2 Interviews

The Director General DES, Ms Micheline Sciberras, has informed the MUT that interviews for the grade of LSA2 will kick off on February 14th.

ITS, MCAST and Civil Service Collective Agreements

The MUT would like to inform its members that talks on all the above agreements are currently continuing as scheduled. Since all of these agreements are negotiated also with PACBU the Union will await for the Government's decision in this regard in case of the dissolution of Parliament.

MUT Central Administration

_________________________________________________________________

20th January 2012

Interviews for LSA 2

The Director General has informed the Union in writing that interviews for LSA2 will start in February but as yet no date was specified.

Transport with Special Needs Students

The Union has requested a meeting with the DES to discuss a number of concerns raised by its members regarding transport supervision. In the mean time the Union has reminded the DES that it is still awaiting a reply on the DES' position regarding issues raised by the Union concerning H&S for employees working with special needs.

Directive Still in Force - Interactive Whiteboards Inventory

The Union has been informed that SMT in state schools are being requested by MITA to check and confirm location and codes of Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors. Members of the SMT are directed to refrain from providing this information until the Union reaches an agreement about the matter with Directorates.

_________________________________________________________________

18th January 2012

LSA2 Interviews

The MUT has written to the Director General DES and to the Hon. Minister regarding the impending interviews for LSA2. The Union is asking the DES to start procedures with high urgency.

MUT Central Administration
_________________________________________________________________

18th January 2012

Incompatibility Between Different Interactive Whiteboards

The MUT has communicated with the DQSE after it received complaints from a number of members in state secondary schools that teachers are having to prepare their lessons more than once due to incompatibility between different makes of whiteboards. The Union has been informed that this issue is easily resolved by installing particular software drivers. Ms Lorna Schembri, Service Manager IT, has offered to help all teachers with this problem. Ms Schembri may be contacted via email lorna.schembri@gov.mt. All members facing these difficulties are highly encouraged to use this help.

MUT Secretariat
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13th January 2012

Work Practice Placements/Job Exposure

The Union has been informed that meetings are being held in secondary schools to inform teaching grades and students about Job Exposure. The Union would like to clarify that the Job Exposure Directive is still in force as follows. Any undue pressure to undertake duties in connection with Job Exposure should be reported to the Union.

In view of the fact that issues identified by the Union have still not been adequately
addressed, the Union solicits all teaching grades (including SMT members, teachers,
guidance teachers, LSAs etc.) not to undertake any duties related thereto in order
to safeguard their professional integrity and the well-being of the students concerned.

Directive: Work Practice Placements/Job Exposure
The MUT has been informed that in the coming weeks various secondary
school students will be involved in work practice placements. While the
Union has no objection to the idea of exposing young people to jobs as part
of their career guidance formation, the Union would like to note the
following points:
a) There is no agreement between the Authorities concerned and the MUT
about a legal framework that covers teachers, student services professional
staff and LSAs that participate in such activities - it is not known who
will be held responsible in case of accidents.
b) The primary objective of teachers and of LSAs is to teach, and in the
case of the latter, to facilitate teaching.
c) Students are reportedly asked to work for free in these placements
without any sort of compensation, making any accompanying educators
arguably accomplices to what may seem (as noted by some members) to be an
abusive situation.
d) Moreover there seems to be no kind of framework that protects these
students (most of them just 14 year olds) in case of abuse from customers
and/or other third parties. (In this respect, and in respect of the point
above, the MUT has written to the Commissioner for Children to ask for her
opinion.)
Thus, and in view of the above, the Union would like to make it absolutely
clear that its members are under no obligation and should refrain from
accompanying students on work places during such events, at least until
such time as the Government and the Union come to an agreement over a legal
framework governing these issues.*

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HR Vocational Course by the FHRD: Update

The Vocational Course in Human Resources organized by the FHRD will
commence on the 31st January 2012.

For additional information kindly contact Mr James Gatt on 212370685.

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Payment for Supervision

The Union is informed that teaching grades in some schools have not been paid for supervision carried out last year. Moreover, the Union is also informed that LSAs in some secondary schools have not been paid for extra hours over the 27 1/2hrs.

As the MUT is identifying the schools involved, teaching grades who have not been paid for supervision or LSAs who have not been paid for the extra hours are kindly advised to contact the Union or send an e-mail on gensec@mut.org.mt .

General Secretary

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11th January 2012

Request to SMT by MITA

The Union has been informed that SMT in state schools are being requested by MITA to check and confirm location and codes of Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors. Members of the SMT are directed to refrain from providing this information until the Union reaches an agreement about the matter with Directorates.

Supply Grades on Definite Contract

The Union has written to the DES to remind it that supply grades on a definite contract still have to sign this scholastic year's documents.

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E-Learning Platform in Church Schools: Update

Following a clarification meeting held today between the Church Schools Authorities and the Malta Union of Teachers, the directive issued on the 5th January 2012 relating to the E-Learning Platform is being suspended provided that any work related thereto is in conformity with the Church Schools Agreement and the functions of teachers therein established.

The MUT should be notified with immediacy should any instances of undue pressure arise.

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General Secretary

10th January 2012

Council for the Teaching Profession

The Ministry for Education and Employment has issued a circular whereby it has announced that nominations for members of the Council of the Teaching Profession are now open. This Council is a very important body which monitors the teaching profession and is a guardian for the code of ethics, and Teaching Warrant.
The circular is available on the website www.mut.org.mt for all members' perusal. MUT members are encouraged to contest these elections and form part of this important council. Members may seek further information by contacting Union officials. Although MUT members elected on this council through the normal election method are not representatives of the Union, the MUT will provide support to member nominees. The Union has two representatives on the Teaching Council who are nominated by its Council.

Health and Safety Issues in cases of Special Needs

The Union has been informed by the DES that in the coming days internal meetings will be held with the AG to discuss the various implications and suggestions raised by the MUT concerning health and safety issues of teaching grades working with children with disability. Director General DES, Ms Micheline Sciberras, said that she will be contacting the Union for further meetings after the AG clarifies legal points and difficulties that have been pointed out by the MUT.

MCAST

The MUT will be meeting the Ministry to discuss various situations at MCAST that are yet unresolved.

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9th January 2011

Nominations for the Council of the Teaching Profession now open

Please see the circular issued by the Ministry of Education and Employment by clicking here.

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HR Vocational Course by the FHRD

The FHRD is organizing a Competency Certificate Course in Human Resources.
Kindly click on the link for more information.

Should you have any queries kindly address them to:

Mr James Gatt B.Commerce (Hons. in Management)
Executive
Foundation for Human Resources Development
Casa Leone, Pjazza Robert Samut, Floriana FRN 1200, Malta
Tel: 21 370685 Fax 21 381945
Email: jgatt@fhrd.org
Website: www.fhrd.org

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9th January 2011

Five New Books in MUT Library

Check them out here

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5th January 2011

E Learning Platforms in Church Schools

As advised previously the MUT had declared a dispute with Church Authorities regarding the implementation of an e-learning platform in certain schools.

The MUT is hereby directing all its members to immediately refrain from using systems connected to the e-learning platform until such time as an agreement is reached with the Church Authorities regarding this important issue. Such systems have various serious implications on the role of the various teaching grades and it is not acceptable that schools implement such systems without consulting the Union or even the Church Authorities themselves.

Added to this, but on a different aspect, the Union notes that Church School teachers have still not been provided with the appropriate IT tools and it is expecting this issue to be resolved before the commencement of the next scholastic year. This deadline has been made very clear with the Church Authorities in a meeting with HE Archbishop Mgr. Paul Cremona.

MUT Central Administration

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4 ta' Jannar 2012

Ftehim Kollettiv Servizz Pubbliku

Illum l-4 ta' Jannar fi hdan il-binja tal-MUT se jiltaqghu il-Unions kollha li jirraprezentaw il-haddiema tas-servizz pubbliku. Din il-laqgha ser isservi sa biex il-Unions involuti jikkordinaw ahjar il-pozizzjonijiet taghhom fin-negozjati tal-ftehim kollettiv.

Ftehim Kollettiv St. Martins

Illum ukoll saret laqgha interna mad-delegati ta' St. Martin's College fejn gie diskuss l-ahhar proposta tal- manigment ghall-ftehim kollettiv.
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MUT expresses condolences

The MUT has today written to the Chairman of the ITS, Ms Claire Zammit Xuereb expressing its condolences and solidarity.

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Maternity Leave Extended

Maternity leave has been extended as per provisions of the last budget speech. Please follow the link to the Legal Notice (L.N. 503 of 2011) published on 30th December 2011.

http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2011/12/LN%20503.pdf

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27th December 2011

MUT Declares Trade Dispute with the Church Authorities

The MUT has declared a trade dispute with the Church Authorities after it has transpired that at least two Church schools have completely ignored the agreement signed between the two sides and implemented an e-learning platform without any agreement and consultation with the MUT.

The MUT has made it clear that it is expecting the Church Authorities to:
a) Investigate what is going on in its schools
b) Enter into discussions with the Union about such a platform

The MUT will be issuing clear directives to all its members at the start of the scholastic year's second term.

MUT Central Administration

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21st December 2011

Special Leave

Furthermore the following general principles apply:

Mut Central Administration
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Update on E-learning courses

Reference to the E-learning INSET courses that will be held outside school hours.

The DQSE has agreed to the following:

Furthermore, as communicated earlier, the Directorate will be making arrangements on a one-to-one basis for teaching grades who cannot attend the scheduled sessions for valid reasons. Teaching grades who cannot attend the scheduled training sessions are therefore urged to forward their request to Mr Raymond. J. Camilleri, Director Curriculum Management and elearning.

MUT Central Administration

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Delegates' Meeting and Christmas Drinks

Dear Colleagues,

A Delegates' Meeting will be held at the MUT on Thursday 5th January 2012 at 10am with the following agenda:

a) Elearning Platform
b) Elearning Platform In-service Courses for teaching grades
c) National Curriculum Framework
d) Developments in the State Employees Collective Agreement and other agreements
e) Developments in church Schools, re. laptops and peripatetic teachers.
f) Other Matters

Schools/institutions that do not currently have a school delegate are strongly encouraged to send another representative (MUT member).

The meeting will be followed by Christmas Drinks (at noon) in which all Delegates are invited to attend together with other guests.

MUT Central Administration

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Vacancies in Church Schools - Click here to view

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Teachers' Institute
213, Republic Street
Valletta, VLT 1118
Malta