In response to ongoing concerns the Union of Professional Educators has announced a series of directives aimed at its members, effective from Monday, the 23rd of September.

The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) said it has been informed by its members at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) that while no lectures will be held next week, Learning Support Educators (LSEs) are still required to attend their respective institutes, this also happened in the previous semester.

The UPE said that this decision comes amid concerns raised about the differing treatment of educators within the college system.

“It is also important to note that the delay in the collective agreement is concerning, and that MCAST and the State need to update staff on the ongoing progress,” the UPE said. “It is crucial that the employer informs its employees of the benefits it intends to introduce and the changes it expects to implement in the coming years. This is necessary as MCAST educators have been left in the dark for far too long.”

The following directives have been issued by the UPE:

1. Members of the UPE working as LSEs at MCAST are not to accompany, guide, or stay with students during orientation visits.

2. Members of the lecturing grades (applicable to both full-time and part-time lecturers) are to limit communication with students and refrain from communicating with Administration/Management. Lecturing grades are directed to restrict communication with students strictly to scheduled lectures and designated contact hours. This includes refraining from communication through email, MS Teams, or any other online platforms outside of these scheduled times. Furthermore, lecturing grades are instructed not to engage in communication with Administration and Management via telephone, email, MS Teams, or any other online platform.

3. Members of the lecturing grades (applicable to both full-time and part-time lecturers) and LSEs of the UPE are not to attend staff meetings or MCAST CPD meetings. IVCs should abstain from attending meetings with management, including the Board of Studies meetings, except for those that are timetabled and part of the lecturers’ contact teaching load.

4. Members of the lecturing grades (applicable to both full-time and part-time lecturers) and LSEs of the UPE are to refrain from taking class attendance.

5. Members of the lecturing grades (applicable to both full-time and part-time lecturers) and LSEs of the UPE are not to communicate physically or virtually with Management and Administration. This also includes not acting upon any communication from Management and Administration in any form, including email, phone, meetings, online, etc.

The UPE acknowledged that previous directives issued on the 7th of May also remain active.

The union concluded by saying that it hopes that a resolution will be reached in the coming days that benefits all parties involved.

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