In an extensive interview with ADPD – Green Party Leader in the TV show Il-Każin, Sandra Gauci, gave a detailed description of the behaviour problems in Maltese schools. Sandra Gauci underlined that these issues are making the work of teachers more difficult and hindering the education process of the children. The interview was made following a stabbing in a Maltese school by a foreign student.
Sandra Gauci, who is a teacher herself, highlighted that there is a very serious growing problem of unruly behaviour by children and students and she stated that this problem often emanates from neglect by the parents. This neglect is often observed when children arrive school without a packed lunch, in their clothes and hygiene. Some students remained uncovered or their uniforms torn she added.
The Green Party Leader said that many parents are not contesting the teacher’s authority and decisions over their children at school often protesting when they are punished. However, she added that parents who protest against teachers over behaviour issues of their children are also the same parents who neglect their children and don’t even show up for parent’s day.
Sandra Gauci also highlighted the growing addiction that children have with smartphones and social media. She added that in this regard there is a serious problem of children being contacted by adults through social media especially underage girls, who are being contacted by old men, and who often send explicit images and texts of sexual nature.
Gauci said that the teacher’s job is becoming increasingly difficult and the authorities often consider educators and professionals only when it comes to issues of accountability. She highlighted that the government is ignoring the working conditions of teachers and said that classrooms are boiling hot in Summer and freezing in Winter.
More training and awareness is needed for educators on how to handle foreign students and the allocations of foreign students in public schools is also being mismanaged. She underscored that foreign students are often thrown in the bottom tier of the classes when many of these are often more highly-skilled.
Schools also need a security guard she said who is also trained in diffusing fights between children. She said that as a teacher, she was not trained to get in between a fight.
Sandra Gauci has more than twenty years of experience in the education sector and she stresses that behaviour issues in schools are increasing and becoming ever more pressing.
You can watch the full interview below.
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