STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE ISSUE OF HARRASSMENT OF TEACHERS
Posted by: kaizenlog in Malta
NO. 1116
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE ISSUE OF HARRASSMENT OF TEACHERS
The Education Division categorically reiterates its full commitment to combat harassment of any type anywhere. So far the Division has investigated, and where necessary took effective action, in every case where allegations of harassment or abuse were made.
With regard to the recent allegations of “harassment” of teachers in connection with the annual evaluation of a teacher’s performance as part of the Performance Management Programme which is held in all schools, the Education Division would like to clarify certain facts.
The Performance Management Programme (PMP) is a management tool and an organisational approach towards improving performance of employees by identifying objectives and setting goals and targets to be achieved. In the case of teachers these targets are based on the School Development Plan. The PMP is drawn up annually by each teacher at the beginning of the scholastic year after being discussed with the teacher’s Head of school.
At the end of the scholastic year, each teacher writes a self-evaluation of his/her performance which is verified by the Head who includes an overall performance assessment of the teacher for the work carried out during the year. The teacher has the right to comment on what the Head states about him/her. The document is then signed by Head of school and by the teacher. Teachers have the right to request a meeting with the next higher authority if they aggrieved by the assessment. All this is done in the strictest of confidentiality and privacy. Heads are assisted by the Assistant Heads in this exercise.
Obviously whilst in most cases the evaluation on the teacher’s performance is positive there are a few cases that result in a negative assessment. It should be clear to all that a negative assessment is by no means to be considered as ‘harassment’. Heads and the School Senior Management Team are duty bound to be fair and objective and to give their assessment without fear or favour.
Whilst initial reports had stated that the MUT had complaints from six schools, in their letter dated 16th July 2007 the Union mentioned only three schools one primary school and two secondary schools. The Education Division immediately replied to the MUT on the 17th July saying that it will be looking into the matter but asked for more specific details about the complaints raised since the MUT letter only identified the schools and did not give details about the specific cases which had allegedly taken place in these schools however it has started its investigations with the College Co-ordinators of the schools involved and the Heads of school.
From initial findings the Division has noted that the ‘Personal Remarks’ that the MUT is alleging were in fact made by a particular teacher in respect of her superiors and not the other way round.
The Education Division believes that the PMP is an important yearly exercise which is essential for quality education. Whilst the Division will not accept situations whereby Heads or Assistant Heads abuse of their position, neither will it accept that whoever receives negative assessments undermines the process by putting forward false claims of harassment.
DOI - 19.07.2007
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