‘He Was Very Sympathetic’: MCAST Students On Robert Abela Meeting
Prime Minister Robert Abela met with MCAST students in parliament after they stood in Valletta for around 45 minutes demanding to every minister that passed that they speak to the government head.
“I’m one of his biggest critics but for this case, I do believe there was sympathy from his end,” Swieqi Vice Mayor and MCAST student representative Jordan Galea Pace told Lovin Malta.
Galea Pace explained that the group of students had been standing outside of parliament with placards reading “Tuna l-Marki” (give us our marks) to protest the ongoing MUT directives that have resulted from unresolved negotiations between the union and the Education Ministry about a sectoral agreement.
He explained that as they waited there several ministers approached them and showed a level of understanding of their current frustrations: “we have children like you – we understand. Stay strong,” they were told.
However, with each minister that passed, the students urged that they want a meeting with the Prime Minister – and after around 30 to 45 minutes, he showed up with a One News crew and invited them into parliament.
There, they spoke about the current situation and he assured that with the new committee, things will move a lot faster.
However, when asked about whether Abela touched upon the situation of the teachers who felt the need to take industrial action because of the conditions in which they work, another student – who chose not to be named – explained the prime minister was more focussed on the students not being given their marks, seemingly failing to acknowledge the Ministry’s role in this whole saga.
Moreover, it was explained that while all of the minister’s were very sympathetic, Silvio Schembri came off as “arrogant” – allegedly responding to their call for a meeting with Abela by saying “the prime minister speaks to everyone. I am not the prime minister.”
“It doesn’t depend on the government,” Schembri continued, according to the students.
Today, the new board will have a meeting with Abela who will then meet with the students again to brief them on what was said and decided.
Students explained that if the directives are not lifted by 5th July, they will have no other choice but to take legal action to receive their marks.
On his own social media, Abela stated: “As I have said many times, it is never fair that the student ends up the victim of industrial actions especially when there is will and proposals on the table”.
“We’re going to continue speaking with each other.”
Prior to this, students had filed a petition to get Abela to intervene and help resolve the months-long situation that have left students without marks, support, and clarity on their futures.
What are your thoughts on this meeting? Let us know in the comments below
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