Education ministry says over €2.3 million given for teachers’ resources

The Ministry for the Education has reacted to statements by the Malta Union of Teachers that  many teaching grades need to buy their own resources to be able to teach their classes.

The ministry said that the Directorate for Educational Services, this year distributed amongst primary schools in the State sector €463,643.67 for capital expenditure and €726,189 for materials and supplies. 

In the secondary sector, €323.164.28 were distributed for capital expenditure and €721,445.72 for materials and supplies.

Another €45,000 is being spent in Resource Centres (ex Special Schools) for capital expenditure and €115,000 for materials and supplies.

"That is in total over €1.5 million is distributed in schools for the procurement of materials and supplies and almost an additional €830,000 for capital expenditure. This money is distributed to the 101 schools in the State sector," the ministry said.

Government said procedures are in place for every school to make flexible use of these funds for the purchase of resources as required.

"In addition, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education provides textbooks for all students in primary and secondary schools free of charge. During this scholastic year, an additional €112,800 were given to state schools specifically for the purchase of additional resources related to differentiation in Form 1 and to language development in both primary and secondary schools," the ministry said. 

The ministry also reacted to statements by MUT "that some of the older schools are literally falling apart". 

"It would be beneficial for the MUT to indicate which schools they are referring to," the Education Ministry said. 

"Government has a track record of building new schools and extensive refurbishments in the older schools, as well as, hundreds of different maintenance jobs that are carried out on an annual basis by the Directorate for Educational Services."