St Albert the Great College has issued a right of reply to a Lovin Malta article which reported on claims by former headmaster Mario Mallia regarding his termination. 

Mallia, who had been a headmaster for over 16 years and a deputy headmaster for three years, claimed been fired from his position over the introduction of inclusive measures. This has been denied by the school.

The full right of reply is as follows:

“The College of St Albert the Great declares that, contrary to the impression given by the article title ‘Veteran Headmaster fired after rolling out Inclusive Measures at Valletta Catholic College’, the crucial issue which regrettably led to Mr. Mallia’s dismissal was not in any way related to his beliefs or to his position favouring inclusivity but, on the other hand, to his clear refusal to abide with the regulatory Statute which expressly provides which financial and other matters relating to the running of the College have to be approved by the College Board. There were numerous instances were decisions which had or could potentially have a financial effect on the College and/or which involved the running of the College were taken by Mr. Mallia without due authorisation of the College Board as required by Statute. Duly warned, Mr. Mallia even refused to recognise the superior authority of the College Board as determined via the Statute itself which regulates the running of the College and evidently continues to reject such authority even now as transpires from the said article. Regrettably but justifiably, the Board determined that it could no longer work with a Headmaster who refuses to abide with the conditions of the Statute which regulates the running of the College which he is supposed to head and who chooses instead to operate unilaterally and without any accountability.”

“The Board of St Albert the Great College has always had at heart all policies aimed at improving the lives of its students, their families and its educators alike, including policies of inclusivity which it has always embraced and which it will continue to push forward in the years to come with the same vision and perseverance.”