The Union of Professional Educators has been contacted, over the past few days, by numerous educators expressing their concern over practices within their schools whereby children are being allowed into school, after having been absent, without a medical certificate declaring them as being fit for school. Given that the pandemic, despite its being controlled at this point in time, has not come to a close, this practice has been one which has caused much concern amongst the teaching community especially following the Eid celebrations held this week which have seen many gather in larger groups.
Their concern is by no means any different to the one expressed when other celebrations had taken place, such as Christmas, Carnival and Easter, and it was after all our Health Authorities who had determined it as being imperative for absentees to present a medical certificate before joining their class after a period of absence. The members who contacted the union were thus justifiably uneasy with exemptions being made by schools, despite the specific instructions coming from our Public Health Authorities.
The UPE will not condone such practices, and is issuing the following directive to safeguard its members, the nation’s student community and society at large:
- Educators who are members of the UPE will not accept any students in class who have not presented a medical certificate following a period of absence from school.
Should any of our members have any similar concerns or have any further queries, they are not to hesitate to contact the union on 21221252/6/8 or via email at info@upe.mt.
