“Just to explain the context, basically, we managed to build a community which is inclusive and diverse, we have children of all shapes and kinds, different religions and orientations, and obviously including different genders as well,” he explained. 

“That meant that we had to work towards making sure that we reach out to every child. So, we had a number of initiatives, one of which was the creating a culture of encounter through a particular space in the curriculum called ‘MEET’ through which students of different religions could come together and discuss what makes them different and respect those differences.”

“And, basically the rector and the board of the college pulled the plug on the subject,” he said, explaining how the subject was introduced two years ago, before the formation of the board. 

When deciding to pull the plug, the board told Mallia that they were not aware of the subject, even though it had been there for two years.

“This just goes to show how present they are,” he lamented, adding that this was all an expansion of the school’s ethos.

“We also had set up a cooperative registered under the co-op act set up by a number of members of staff and the idea was to provide meaningful employment to students finding it difficult to find work,” he explained. The board also pulled the plug on this cooperative.

“I was also politically involved, and they were uneasy about that, it was spelt out more than one time,” he said, referring to his involvement in the ADPD party as Deputy Chairperson and Education Spokesperson.

“I always considered my political involvement to be an extension of my educational endeavours. We have to practice what we preach to children, we can’t just hide behind a desk.”

“And obviously the way they were imposing how the college should be run was counter to the ethos we created; the idea of cooperation, participation, shared decision making,” he explained.

“They felt it should a top-down approach and obviously it goes counter to all we believe in, so we made our voices heard. I made my voice heard and I paid the price for it,” he said. 

Mallia also explained how the board is very rudimental, thinking that they can dictate what happens and he found this to be unacceptable to him.

“We also reached out numerous times to create a dialogue with the board and the rector but to no avail.”

Lecturers, students and public figures have reacted to the news, with many upset with his removal from his position.

What do you make of Mallia’s firing?