The Malta Union of Teachers has said that it is seriously preoccupied with statements issued from a leading political figure during a political activity and an academic of the University of Malta on a programme aired yesterday on PBS concerning the local schooling hours.

The MUT said it would like to inform the general public that the schooling hours in Malta compare well with the European average and, indeed, fall on the higher side of the spectrum. The Union sustains the view that an increase in schooling hours may have a counter-productive effect and may alienate students from pursuing further academic attainment.

As outlined in its memorandum to political parties, the MUT believes that improvement in the local field of education can be attained mainly through smaller classes, an updated curriculum, greater curricular autonomy at the school level, better student services and last but not least more direct investment in educators and allied professionals. Schools are not baby-sitting institutions and if there is such a social need, this should be addressed differently and not by extending schooling hours.

The MUT said it notes that the PBS programme "Disset" did not air the President's view on schooling hours and hence did not present a complete picture on this issue. The MUT takes issue with the exposure afforded to an individual view as opposed to the apparent censorship of its own perspective when the Union represents almost the entirety of educators in Malta from Kindergarten to Higher and Tertiary Education.