UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 36

VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 2014

Contents The Business of Touching Lives 02 The Faces of Change

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Improving the Quality of Education

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The challenges facing the teaching profession

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The International Scenario

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THE

teaching PROFESSION Maltese society is changing at dizzying pace. These changes are the product of changes in the world around us, be they technological, social, political and environmental. One of the fundamental pillars of every society is education. Education facilitates and also directly contributes to social change. It affects everyone, from toddlers to the elderly. A dynamic and proactive system of education contributes to a society that can develop and provide opportunities for individuals to grow and be VOICE OF THE

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successful in life. However, it is not difficult to imagine a set of pillars trying to support a cornice that is continually shifting. The challenges to our educational system are encapsulated in this image.

Teachers are the lifeblood of our educational system. In heaping praise for Aristotle, his teacher, Alexander the Great once said: “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well”. Good, well-trained, motivated teachers provide the

EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA

difference between good and excellent. Naturally, they cannot do this alone. In every good system, it is both the people as well as the processes that need to function well. Teachers working in a friendly and supportive environment are more conducive to working better and achieving better results.

If we are to have an educational system that is more proactive, inclusive and flexible to the needs of individuals, we need to ensure that both the people as 1

EDITORIAL

well as the system are flexible enough to change proactively according to present and future social needs. We need to look at issues holistically, rather than specifically. Issues such as respect for teachers, the school environment, student needs, soft skills, and a host of other issues, need to be tackled by taking into account the bigger picture. If we

don’t do that, we risk temporarily fixing one issue and opening up a pandora’s box in others.

Admittedly, it may be easier said than done. But it is the only viable option forward. Doing this means involving all stakeholders and having a clear sense of direction.

All of us who are in our adult stage in our lives, have fond

memories of some of our teachers who left an indelible mark on our lives. Teachers have this privilege on one hand, as well as a huge responsibility on the other. It is essential that both the privilege and the responsibility is shared and cared for, and all parties are flexible to the others’ needs. Our society depends on it.

The Business of Touching Lives All sectors of work are connected to our daily lives. But teaching a profession that comes most in contact and has a lasting effect on people’s lives; from early childhood till adulthood and beyond. Touching tales of elderly, retired teachers reminiscing with former students are ample proof of the lasting effect of the teaching profession on people’s lives. However, we cannot just think romantically and forget reality.

Our society is changing, and the teaching environment is invariably changing too. Both the teaching profession, as well as all the stakeholders need to find new and better ways of working together to make sure that both the teaching profession as well as our educational system as a whole provides the best environment for the teachers themselves, for the students, as well as for the country in general.

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INTERVIEW: MR KEVIN BONELLO

THE FACES OF CHANGE INTERVIEW WITH MR KEVIN BONELLO, PRESIDENT OF THE MALTA UNION OF TEACHERS (MUT)

With a background of brisk social, technological and cultural changes, how do you think, is the teaching profession evolving in Malta?

I believe that the teaching profession has evolved in a rather fast rate over the past years. When one considers the introduction of laptops, interactive whiteboards, elearning programmes, in a relatively short span of time it is evident that educators in Malta have gone through various important and rapid changes. From a social and cultural perspective, again most educators feel that the reality in today’s classroom is completely different from what it was 10 years ago, let alone prior to that. From a scenario where the majority of students hailed from traditional set-up families Maltese classrooms have moved to the opposite scenario whereby students VOICE OF THE

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hailing from a traditional set-up family are many times in a minority.

This of course presents new challenges to educators and school administrators, but thankfully the vast majority of educators have adapted to the new situations.

In a scenario where more emphasis is being given on skilled and flexible workers, how do you see the link between the school environment and the eventual place of work?

I strongly believe that we are not doing enough in this respect.

Schools need to teach more vocational subjects and skills. A lot of progress has been made at MCAST in this area, but this progress still needs to spill into our secondary schools. At this moment in time there is little space for vocational subjects or

methodologies of teaching in mainstream secondary schools.

The Government, various years ago, had proposed the pilot project of vocational subjects in schools. This year the government has declared that this pilot project (after at least 3 years) will be extended to other schools and more subjects. As yet it is not clear how it is going to work out but something needs to be done because since the closure of trade schools there has been a black hole were education of trades is concerned.

As a trade union, what are your priorities for the sector?

Our main priorities are the improvement in working conditions for all the professionals working in the education sector and the advancement of education in general for the benefit of our children. As an example in these 3

FEATURE STORY

last weeks the Union was actively working towards a fairer justice system in cases of alleged abuse on minors. The Union is also participating in various committees and boards which are intended to establish a better educational system from many different aspects. Of course the Union also represents its members, as all Unions do, in collective bargaining and agreements.

What, in your view, are the main challenges faced by the teaching

profession in Malta in the future?

The MUT believes that the main challenges currently are the ever increasing threat of legal action, as well as the ever increasing reality of multiculturalism where in various instances teachers were faced with children who have no communication skills in either Maltese or English. Nowadays legal assistance is much more readily available and accessible, thankfully. However this has a downside. People are sometimes often found instituting a court

case if they believe they can gain financial benefit from an eventual win. This is putting all professionals, and various workers in services, at high risk because at the slightest perceived mistake they are becoming prone to legal action. In the education sector this risks putting off initiatives by professionals to show extra care for children, or even to take them to outings, or even to play with them in an activity.

“Our main priorities are the improvement in working conditions for all the professionals working in the education sector and the advancement of education in general for the benefit of our children” VOICE OF THE

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MEUSAC

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION Globalisation and the knowledge economy are posing new challenges to education systems.

As stated in the, ‘Strategic Framework for Cooperation in Education and Training’ (ET 2020), adopted by the EU Council in 2009, these challenges cannot be faced without the professional development of the highest quality of the knowledge, skills, as well as access to support throughout the careers of educators.

Thus, improving the quality of teaching is a key element in the EU’s education policy for 2020 highlighted by the importance of: attracting and retaining, wellqualified and motivated people; identifying the skills that teachers require to meet the changing needs of society; providing conditions to support teachers through initial and in-service training; and attracting recruits who have professional experience

in other fields to teaching and training. As stated in the Council conclusions mentioned above, “The knowledge, skills and commitment of teachers, as well as the quality of school leadership, are the most important factors in achieving high quality educational outcomes.”

Given that each EU Member State is responsible for its own education and training systems, the EU policies in the field are designed to support national action and to help address common challenges.

The European Commission works with EU countries to raise the standards of teaching and teacher education by facilitating the exchange of information and experience between policymakers and by supporting projects through the ‘Erasmus+’ – the EU’s funding programme for education, training, youth and sport.

In 2012, the European Commission launched a Communication, titled, ‘Rethinking Education: Investing in skills for better socio-economic outcomes’, in order to redress education systems across Europe to cater to the increasing demand for higher skills and to reduce unemployment. The initiative has three core focus areas for reform: quality, accessibility, and funding.

The European Commission will continue to pursue a variety of actions and discussions with a view to ensuring that, by 2020, education systems are equipped with new ways of teaching and learning to ensure that they can deliver the right skills for employment. Specific initiatives include the ‘Opening Up Education’ initiative in 2013, to boost innovation and digital skills in schools and universities, as well as partnerships between education, business and research, and the creation of a European Area of Skills and Qualifications.

MEUSAC 280 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1112 Tel: +356 2200 3315 • Fax: +356 2200 3329 • Email: info.meusac@gov.mt www.meusac.gov.mt VOICE OF THE

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MCESD

The challenges facing the teaching profession No other factor is as important as the teacher in a school. Teachers have a responsibility to enhance their pupils’ academic ability. In addition to this, teachers are also able to shape future generations in view of the fact that they are able to develop a moral consciousness amongst students and teach them important life skills such as the value of responsibility and compromise.

Challenges are numerous, especially in light of the ever changing social scenarios in our society.

on the notion that education is a tool for improving social cohesion and social and economic development. Moreover, teachers need to inspire their students and show them that they too are committed and willing to learn new things.

A stronger workforce can help to overcome some challenges in education. The allocation of resources for continuous training for teachers is to be given priority.

Furthermore, as suggested by the European Economic and Social Council (EESC), teacher training should be more focused

On a local level, policy makers need to ensure that teachers are consulted and actively involved in any education reforms since it is the teachers themselves who ultimately will put the policy into

The teaching profession in Europe is aging. Hence the need for it to be made more attractive to young people by ensuring that teachers are provided with attractive conditions and possibilities of career development.

practice and determine the success or failure of the same policy.

At MCESD, education is viewed as key for social and economic development. Council meetings were held in the past months namely on the issue of Early School Leaving and Education Strategy. More recently Vocational Education and Training has also been discussed at MCESD. An early school leaving action group was set up and this has put forward proposals to Government.

MCESD 280/3, Republic Street, Valletta, VLT1112 Tel: (+356) 2200 3300 www.mcesd.org.mt VOICE OF THE

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CONFEDERAZIONE ITALIANA AGRICOLTORI

The International Scenario

ETUI - ETUC Conference “Europe at a crossroads.

Which way to quality jobs and prosperity?”

To build a Europe of jobs and sustainable prosperity is the project of fundamental concern within the world of labour. In order to achieve more social cohesion and better jobs, the European Union must be set firmly on the road to a genuine process of reconstruction.

Training of Eurotrainers The training of Eurotrainers is part of the ETUI’s core ‘training of trainers’ (TOT) provision delivered every year. Its purpose is to develop the individual teaching skills of trainers from member organisations as an investment in the future of these organisations’ teaching strategies.

COURSES

INFO AND NEWS

European teaching unions demand healthier workplaces The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) representing teachers’ unions in 45 countries adopted recommendations “for healthy and safe workplaces in the economic crisis”. These recommendations come as part of a project launched in 2013 to assess what impact the economic crisis was having on the health and safety of education personnel.

More information are available here: http://goo.gl/96cbf7

EVENTS

Good teachers are essential for every democracy. This is why it is given great importance not just on a local level, but also on a European one. The Brussels Office of the Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori has assembled together some initiatives, including events and training, that deal with issues regarding the teaching profession.

The training aims to extend the scope of the learning programmes beyond the national level and to give them a European dimension, setting the priority on a European trade union identity and greater visibility for the ETUC and the ETUI, in line with current and future needs. This learning itinerary is accordingly addressed to trainers who have completed a national basic training programme and gained experience of union training accredited by their organisation. More information are available here: http://goo.gl/VqNRhZ

24 September - 26 September 2014, Hotel Thon Europe, 1040 Brussels, Belgium http://goo.gl/8vaZ8H Eduday and Education Conference 2014 The Education Department of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) is organising its Conference on 23 and 24 October and the European Trade Union Education Day on the 22nd.

For more information please check the following link: http://goo.gl/cZJdOu

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