The Malta Union of Teachers has called for a shift in tertiary education away from measuring success by the number of graduates and towards the quality and relevance of their qualifications. In its Budget 2027 proposals, the union said the growing number of institutions offering tertiary courses made stronger government oversight necessary to ensure the standards advertised by providers were actually being achieved. The MUT also called for more dedicated administrative staff across the education system, arguing that educational administration required sector-specific expertise and training rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. It urged investment in early years education, including better working conditions and higher qualifications for childcare and kindergarten staff. At post-secondary level, it said links with industry were important but institutions should not turn general education into on-the-job training. It also called for continued investment in schools, including temperature control systems. (Maltatoday)
WasteServ warns of fires from discarded batteries
WasteServ has launched a nationwide campaign warning that batteries thrown away with household waste are causing fires at waste facilities every month. The Be Smart. No Spark campaign, launched in collaboration with the Civil Protection Department, aims to encourage people to dispose of batteries and electronic devices through the appropriate channels. WasteServ said discarded batteries can be punctured, crushed or damaged during collection and processing, potentially triggering fires that spread rapidly. Batteries are increasingly found in everyday items including wireless headphones, electric toothbrushes, toys, power banks and disposable vapes, making accidental disposal in household waste more likely. WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca said the campaign was intended to highlight the danger posed by a single improperly discarded battery. Civil Protection Department director general Peter Paul Coleiro warned that battery-related fires could gain intensity very quickly and potentially lead to loss of life. (The Malta Independent)
Two policemen have been acquitted of fraud over alleged fraudulent overtime payments after the court strongly criticised the prosecution’s handling and presentation of evidence. Fabian Caruana and Alessio Spiteri were cleared after the court found that guilt had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech said the prosecution had presented voluminous evidence, much of which was not directly relevant to the two accused, leaving the court to sift through extensive documentation. The court also criticised what it described as a superficial comparison between duty sheets and mobile-phone location data and said the prosecution should have provided a clearer explanation of how the alleged fraudulent payments were calculated. In Caruana’s case, discrepancies were found in evidence concerning €4,840 in alleged abusive payments. The court also noted weaknesses in tracking data and inconsistencies in police duty rosters. (The Times of Malta)
