Curia Rolls Out Contigency Plan In Case St Albert The Great ‘Not In A Position To Function’
The Curia has just announced that it is preparing a contingency plan for students and staff of St Albert the Great College should the school not be in a position to function at the beginning of the 2022/23 scholastic year.
Over the last few weeks, more than eight educators have resigned from St Albert The Great College, following the dismissal of former headmaster Mario Mallia. Parents have also spoken out on the situation, lamenting the lack of organisation and fearful for their children’s future.
The Archdiocese went on to say that for several weeks it has been actively involved in talks aimed at identifying a way forward acceptable to all parties following the decision by the Dominican Order — which owns and operates the college — to dismiss its former headmaster.
It noted how it is disappointed to see that the issue has not been resolved just days ahead of the new term.
“While the Secretariat’s prime objective remains to encourage a positive outcome to the discussions between the Dominican Order and the Malta Union of Teachers, it has undertaken the responsibility to draft plans for an alternative scenario in the eventuality that talks break down,” it explained.
“Parents expressed understandable concern over the uncertainty surrounding their children’s education during a recent meeting with Archbishop Charles Scicluna and he will honour the commitment he made to safeguard the students’ welfare which is, and must remain, our overriding priority,” a spokesperson for the Archdiocese said.
The Archdiocese proceeded to thank the educational authorities for their cooperation as well as the Secretariat for Catholic Education, the Council of Religious Major Superiors and the Church Schools Association “who are working tirelessly to bring this matter to a successful conclusion.
Former headmaster Mario Mallia was dismissed from his position at St Albert The Great earlier this summer, sparking national backlash.
Just last week, Horace Gauci was announced as the new headmaster of the college, former mayor of Marsaxlokk and an educator by profession.
What do you make of the Curia’s statement?
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