By Times of Malta
Is it really cricket? Mark Esnault of St Julian’s writes: A team representing Malta played cricket very well in Romania on Sunday and won the latest round of the Continental Cup, comprehensively beating Austria in the final. I say a team representing Malta because not one Maltese name appeared on the team sheet. But, and here is the bad news, the game was not exactly played in the full spirit of cricket, with some rather bad comments made which meant that both the tournament director and the match referee became involved. So are these so-called representatives of Malta doing the country any favours really, especially as this final was broadcast live on TV? Teachers’ rights Joe Falzon of Qala writes: In the article ‘Ombudsman refers “unlawful” teachers’ free speech directive to parliament’ (June 20), I read how the commissioner for education supported the teachers’ rights to free speech, which the education is ignoring. Well and good. However, I must point out to the commissioner that he had failed to support my right to a fair ‘’trial’’ when he had undertaken my complaint regarding reports made against me by my headmistress at the time, my subject EO, which reports were supported by the ministry. My claim to not having enjoyed my rights to a fair ‘’trial’’ is based on the fact that, on submitting my complaint to the ombudsman’s office, I made it clear that the accusations were made in secret, and that I had absolutely no idea what the accusations were and, therefore, could not really defend myself. The commissioner concluded in favour of the ministry after a few days (some investigation).It was only in his conclusion that I got a hint of what I was being accused of. In a subsequent appeal and two-year investigation by the ombudsman’s office, the reports were removed as my rights to a fair hearing had been violated and the accusations were never substantiated by the accusers. In conclusion, I hope the commissioner for education realises what I, as a teacher, had to deal with: a ministry that not only lacks respect for teachers’ rights but also lacks respect for the ombudsman’s office. In my appeal, the ombudsman noted that the ministry of education did not respond to his e-mails requesting clarification. I have asked the ministry for an apology. Do I not have a right to an apology? But even that little show of respect has not been forthcoming.