The education authorities are making “every effort” to find a solution so that children do not have to wait outside the gates of the Mġarr primary school without supervision.
However, the authorities could not commit themselves to say that a solution would be found before the new scholastic year opens in just a few weeks’ time.
The Ombudsman recently criticised Education Ministry officials for backing the decision of the head of the Mġarr primary school not to open the school gates before 8.30 a.m., leaving the children who would have arrived early waiting outside unsupervised.
Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino said this was “highly irresponsible and unacceptable” and recommended that a solution be found before the children headed back to school.
A group of worried parents last November complained about the situation that developed after, in February 2010, the Malta Union of Teachers instructed members not to open the main gate of the school before 8.30 a.m. because no supervision was available.
Parents were informed by the school head that children who used the transport service would not be allowed into the grounds even if their van brought them earlier. Some children, as young as five, were dropped off outside the gates at 7.55 a.m.
The ministry defended itself with the Ombudsman on the basis that children’s supervision did not form part of the school transport service and pointed out that parents could make their own transport arrangements. The Ombudsman was critical of such approach saying that, since the authorities provided the transport, they were in duty bound to ensure children arrived safely.
When asked for a reaction, a ministry spokesman said it was studying the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
“The (education) directorate will also be seeking advice on the issue from relevant stakeholders with the ultimate aim of providing a conclusion to this matter,” the spokesman said.
Asked specifically whether this would be resolved by the time the new scholastic year starts, he said: “We are making every effort to solve the problem.”
The MUT said it was never consulted by the Ombudsman to discuss the issue of the Mġarr school.
Union president Kevin Bonello said the MUT was open to discuss the matter with the government to find a solution in the best interests of the children. However, he pointed out that the union could not allow a situation where school staff was ordered to supervise the children and assume responsibility for what could happen without the necessary structures to safeguard workers’ interests.
He noted that arrangements had been made in other state schools where supervisors were paid to do the job before the official school opening hours. The issue here was that the Mġarr school was a government school and any decision had to be taken following a bureaucratic process, Mr Bonello said.