New Student Journal Disperses Leaflets Encouraging Protesting And Rebelling In Light Of MUT Directives
A new student journal has dispersed pamphlets encouraging youths to protest and rebel in light of the ongoing academic limbo within MCAST.
Djarju tal-Poplu, a journal largely based in the University of Malta, reported ongoing “politicisation of the MCAST student strike” and a strong student involvement, the MCAST students’ committee proudly stated.
As part of this ongoing demonstration, the journal and MCAST students dispersed over 100 pamphlets assuring students that “it is right to rebel”, protestors have repeated this chant while criticising the lack of action on the part of the government.
Student organisations have further questioned “why this is happening?” when the wealth supposedly exists.
“Why is it that two big entities, including the government, supposedly representing the interests of the people, have yet to increase the wages of educational workers, despite having the supposed ‘accumulated wealth’ which the state demonstrates on the media , and which have insisted upon having within Malta’s 2025 budget,” the MCAST students’ committee recounted.
The content and action of Djarju tal-Poplu was met with heavy support from both lecturers and students.
The MUT and Ministry of Education have been engaged in negotiations over a new collective agreement for MCAST for the last three years. Over a year ago, the MUT issued directives that lecturers have followed as a result of unsatisfactory movement, especially with regards the clauses related to salary.
“As talks stagnate, with little being achieved, students are growing more and more discontent, and are criticising the systematic undertones that generate problems regarding negotiations,” the students’ committee said.
“The emergence of independent student journals and actions demonstrate that students will not stand idle and expect solutions from inaction. Djarju tal-Poplu urges students and teachers for independent organisation, seeking for other alternatives should the system continue to push students behind.”
In the wake of this educational crisis, it seems that MCAST students have felt the urge to become politically active and use their voices to pressure the government for their desired outcomes. So while recent scandals may have caused citizens to question the government’s legitimacy, the country can be proud of how the students have reacted to the injustices they face.
While students have been proactive in engaging with the media amid this issue, teachers are facing concerning censorship.
The Education Ministry has set out new rules prohibiting teachers from speaking to the media without their superiors’ approval. This means that if a teacher wants to speak to the media, they must discuss the contents with their bosses who can decide against allowing it.
Educators have been made to refrain from making comments opposed to the Education Ministry policies and objectives as well as withhold the broadcasting of their personal opinions or make statements that can be perceived as politically biased.
Teachers who breach the policy will be referred to the department for educational services, for review and ensuing action.
These rules apply to all forms of media appearances related to educational matters.
Images provided by the MCAST Students’ Committee.
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