Momentum fully supports the recommendations made by the Commissioner for Education in response to the complaints concerning Directive DG DES 28/2024. We stand by the principles of democratic accountability, transparency, and the fundamental right to freedom of expression, particularly within the education sector.
The request for an investigation by the Ombudsman’s office was instigated by Momentum and taken up by the Union of Professional Educators.
Dr Matthew Agius from Momentum said, “We categorically reject the notion that educators should be silenced or forced into conformity when engaging in public debate. The directive in question goes against the spirit of open discourse and critical engagement that is essential to both education and democracy. We consider it unacceptable that any government within the European Union would endorse such a restrictive approach to public dialogue.
“We expect high standards of an EU member state, especially when it comes to upholding basic civil liberties. We echo the Commissioner’s findings that the directive imposes unjustifiable limitations on personal opinion and creates an environment of control rather than collaboration. Educators should be empowered to speak freely and contribute to the improvement of our schools and institutions without fear of reprisal.”
Momentum urges the Ministry for Education to reconsider its position and act in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations, as ignoring them undermines both democratic oversight and trust in public institutions.
Momentum jappoġġja s-sejħa tal-Ombudsman għall-Libertà ta’ Espressjoni tal-Edukaturi
Momentum jappoġġja bis-sħiħ ir-rakkomandazzjonijiet magħmula mill-Kummissarju għall-Edukazzjoni b’reazzjoni għall-ilmenti dwar id-Direttiva DG DES 28/2024. Aħna nsostnu l-prinċipji tar-responsabbiltà demokratika, it-trasparenza, u d-dritt fundamentali għal-libertà tal-espressjoni, partikolarment fis-settur tal-edukazzjoni.
It-talba għal investigazzjoni mill-Uffiċċju tal-Ombudsman ġiet istigata minn Momentum u aċċettata mill-Union of Professional Educators.
Dr Matthew Agius minn Momentum qal, “Niċħdu kategorikament l-idea li l-edukaturi għandhom jiġu msikkta jew imġiegħla jikkonformaw meta jinvolvu ruħhom f’dibattitu pubbliku. Id-direttiva inkwistjoni tmur kontra l-ispirtu ta’ diskors miftuħ u ta’ involviment kritiku, li huma essenzjali kemm għall-edukazzjoni kif ukoll għad-demokrazija. Aħna nqisu inaċċettabbli li gvern ta’ pajjiż membru fl-Unjoni Ewropea japprova approċċ daqshekk restrittiv għad-djalogu pubbliku.
“Nistennew standards għoljin minn stat membru tal-UE, speċjalment fir-rigward taż-żamma tal-libertajiet ċivili bażiċi. Aħna naqblu mal–Kummissarju li d-direttiva timponi limitazzjonijiet mhux ġustifikati fuq l-opinjoni personali u toħloq ambjent ta’ kontroll aktar milli ta’ kollaborazzjoni. L-edukaturi għandhom jingħataw is-setgħa li jitkellmu liberament u jikkontribwixxu għat-titjib tal-iskejjel u l-istituzzjonijiet tagħna mingħajr biża’ ta’ ritaljazzjoni.”
Momentum iħeġġeġ lill-Ministeru għall-Edukazzjoni biex jerġa’ jikkunsidra l-pożizzjoni tiegħu u jaġixxi skont ir-rakkomandazzjonijiet tal-Ombudsman, biex tissaħħaħ id-demokrazija kif ukoll il-fiduċja fl-istituzzjonijiet pubbliċi.
