PN candidate calls for former soldiers to be deployed at schools

Updated December 3 with Justin Schembri statement

A PN candidate has proposed deploying former soldiers in schools following a stabbing at a Pembroke school yesterday.

But the proposal drew pushback from the party's education spokesperson, who warned against knee-jerk reactions. 

Writing on Facebook, George Muscat, who has received approval to contest the next general election on the PN ticket, proposed deploying “professional security people”, including former soldiers, at schools, to “react quickly if there is tension or suspicion”.

“The incident that happened yesterday could happen tomorrow or in the near future”, he said in his post, while proposing measures to prevent further such incidents.

Muscat advocated installing metal detectors at school entrances, echoing the calls of some Pembroke school parents and a former education minister, and the use of “responsible screening and search”.

“When there are serious indications, a check is carried out on students or bags in a safe, legal and respectful manner”, he said.

Advocating for “safer schools”, the PN candidate emphasised that “strong security means that problems are stopped before they happen”.

A 14-year-old boy will appear in court later this evening in connection with the schoolyard stabbing at St Clare College on Monday morning. 

The stabbing took place as children were gathering before the start of the school day. 

Sources told Times of Malta the alleged attacker had been suspended for two days last week after being caught with a phone at school, and that he had demanded to know who had “snitched” on him when returning to school yesterday.

He is alleged to have subsequently attacked the other boy, slashing his arms and chest using a flick knife he had brought to school. Another boy is understood to have intervened, saving the victim from further injury.

Earlier today, the education ministry announced that a seven-person advisory board had been convened to make recommendations on how to improve behaviour at schools following the attack.

Justin Schembri: 'We cannot punish every school'

PN education spokesperson Justin Schembri, who is himself a teacher, warned against knee-jerk reactions.

“Let us keep in mind that schools should be places where children… are taught love, respect and the joy of youth,” Schembri said. 

“An entire community is under shock and trying to get back on its feet… Let us remember that there is a lot to be done – in terms of disciplinary policy – but at this moment we cannot punish everyone, every school, and fail our education system as though everyone is to blame and must pay the same price.” 

Schembri said that efforts should instead be focused on setting up a system of middle and secondary schools to help ease pressures teachers who have to contend with massive school populations. 

“There is a lot that needs fixing, not just in schools but in society more generally,” the PN MP said.