The UPE has become aware of a practice in which Year 1 and Year 2 teachers are being asked to complete checklists. In Year 1, they are asked to select five students and in Year 2 teachers are asked to do the check lists only of those students who already attend complementary classes.  These checklists are meant to be conducted by complementary teachers and not the class teachers themselves.

Further, we wish to refer to DLAP 082/2023, distributed on the 28th of March 2023, specifically drawing attention to point number 8, which states: “In order to make results more reliable it is advised that one teacher correct for instance all comprehension exercises in a particular year, while another teacher corrects the controlled exercises or the composition. Heads of schools are to ensure that teachers mark scripts of the students they teach only in cases where the same teacher teaches all the classes in the school.”

The UPE does not agree with this methodology for several reasons. Firstly, teachers would not be able to assess their own students, thus hindering their ability to gauge their hard work and progress. Additionally, this approach could lead to various abuses, especially in cases of internal disputes between teachers. Finally, every teacher has their own methodology for correcting papers.

Consequently, the union is officially issuing a trade dispute together with the following directive effective on the 15th of May 2023;

Class Teachers members of the UPE are not to fill in any checklists. 

Teachers members of the UPE are to correct their own students exam papers, and are not to follow Point 8 of DLAP 082/2023, distributed on the 28th of March 2023.

Members of the UPE are urged to contact us if they require assistance on 21221252 or via email on info@upe.mt.