The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) has observed a marked silence regarding the trade dispute it raised with the Ministry of Education concerning Circular DG DES 28/2024 — the Policy on the Participation of Educators in Media Appearances in Their Professional Capacity, issued on 25th September 2024.
The Union notes that several organisations and educational entities, including the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta, have expressed similar concerns regarding the level of censorship imposed by such a circular.
Ms Ritianne Borg Saliba, Director General of Educational Services (DES), has remained unwilling to initiate a social dialogue, which is the standard protocol when a trade dispute is registered by a union.
Due to this silence the UPE is issuing further directives which will comw into effect on Monday 18th November 2024.
Members of the UPE are not to cross streets with students during arrival and dismissal. This also applies to those kindergarten students who need to be collected from a location other than the main kindergarten building.
LSEs members of the UPE are not to write, compile, or prepare the IEP document.
Members of the UPE are not to sign any IEP documents.
Teachers and KGE members of the UPE are not to submit or distribute daily updates, reports, or other documentation.
Members of the UPE are not to assign any homework.
The UPE maintains that it is still willing to engage in social dialoge as per established practice.
