The Malta Union of Teachers in a statement today has said that, “independent schools will not be in a position to match the financial package of teachers in State and Church schools for the next five years unless they receive financial assistance from the Government.”
The Union said that these difficulties have been confirmed following initial negotiations of collective agreements of four independent schools.
According to the Union, this followed the “much improved financial package” of teaching grades in State and Church schools achieved by the MUT in December last year.”
The MUT voiced its concerns over the situation, which it said,”may destabilise the sector with teachers seeking employment in State or Church schools rather than in independent schools due to the financial package offered.”
The Union pointed out that the Government already provides financial assistance to cover salaries of LSEs in independent schools.
“However it is common knowledge that without financial assistance, independent schools have few options other than to increase considerably the tuition fees or else employing unqualified or less qualified teachers,” it said.
The Union said that it believes that both options will be “detrimental to the quality of services offered and will have considerable financial impact on parents.”
The MUT concluded by saying that recruitment of teachers for the next scholastic year will be held in the coming weeks, “hence our appeal to the Government to reach an agreement with independent schools on the requested financial assistance.”