Secretariat committed to resolving issues while upholding Church schools autonomy

The Secretariat for Catholic Education is surprised that the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) declared an industrial dispute on issues it is working on to resolve. The Union is also informed that, in the coming days, the Secretariat has meetings scheduled with different entities to discuss the issues highlighted by the MUT.

The Secretariat would like to emphasise that all education grades employed by Church Schools and reimbursed by the State enjoy the same financial remuneration through the agreement reached between the Holy See and the Republic of Malta in 1991. Similarly, all education grades paid directly by Church Schools and governed by the collective agreement with the MUT enjoy identical conditions. The Secretariat clarifies that employers have a right and obligation to develop roles to suit the respective
contextual needs, which interested and eligible candidates may freely choose to express interest in and eventually take up through selection processes. The Secretariat is very conscious of its responsibility towards its education grades and thousands of students and is fully committed in pursuing its efforts to reach an agreement which is respectful towards the rights of employees, the service it renders to its learners whilst guaranteeing the unique identity, autonomy and mission of Church Schools.