Education minister guilty of unfair dismissal
Education minister Dolores Cristina was found guilty of unfairly dismissing a programme coordinator at Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja in 2010.
The Industrial Tribunal has ruled that education minister Dolores Cristina unfairly dismissed the former Police Sergeant Marisa Bartolo from Conseratorio Vincenzo Bugeja, and ordered that she be paid €3,900 in compensation.
The decision was based on evidence given by Bartolo who said that at the end of her probation period, Richard Manchè, - then chairman at Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja - had informed her that the school was satisfied with her work, however six weeks after, Manchè had informed her that she was being suspended by order of Minister Cristina.
Bartolo had been engaged as Home-Programme Coordinator in May 2009, subject to a one year probation period.
Her employment was confirmed in April the following year, however a board of inquiry within the school set up by minister Dolores Cristina.
The Inquiry delved into Bartolo's behaviour with youths at the special school, and concluded that "Ms Marisa Bartolo's training and extensive experience in the Police Force have formed her and conditioned her behaviour to date, More than twelve months of direction form the HD, role modelling and feedback from other members of staff have not yielded the desired changes. Her position with the Conservatorio setup is therefore considered untenable."
Tancred Tabone, who was appointed chairman of the management board at the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja admitted to have never met Bartolo or spoke to her, except during the proceedings related to her termination of employment.
The Tribunal ruled that Bartolo was unfairly dismissed and awarded her €3,900 in compensation, which must be paid within eight weeks.
Lawyer Anglu Farrugia appeared for Bartolo, while Peter Fenech appeared for the Education Ministry.





