Government must stop taking decisions affecting children without proper consultation
The Partit Nazzjonalista believes that parents deserve clear information about the criteria being applied, how decisions are reached and what avenues of appeal or redress are available to them. Most importantly, decisions concerning children must be taken transparently, fairly and in their best interests.
The Ombudsman’s findings – following investigations which were being conducted by the Commissioner for Education – on admissions to the Wardija Resource Centre expose a troubling approach by the Ministry for Education: decisions affecting children with disabilities and their families, and educators, appear to have been treated as a predetermined outcome rather than as matters requiring transparency, proper consultation, respect for established procedures and strong forward planning.
This is not simply an administrative issue. Behind every admission decision is a child, a family and a right to receive an education in an environment suited to the child’s needs.
It is particularly concerning that the Ombudsman had to intervene and that the Ministry’s approach was found wanting. The Government cannot continue to operate on the basis that it can take decisions first and deal with their consequences, objections and institutional scrutiny afterwards.
The Partit Nazzjonalista believes that parents deserve clear information about the criteria being applied, how decisions are reached and what avenues of appeal or redress are available to them. Most importantly, decisions concerning children must be taken transparently, fairly and in their best interests.
The Ombudsman’s intervention should therefore be treated as an opportunity for the Ministry to put its house in order – not as a box to be ticked.
The PN calls on the Minister for Education to publish the commitments given to the Ombudsman, explain precisely what changes will be made to the admissions process, and guarantee that families affected by these decisions will receive a fair and transparent process going forward.
Education policy cannot be built around faits accomplis. It must be built around children, their families, fairness and accountability.
The Government owes parents and children nothing less.
Jerome Caruana Cilia
Shadow Minister for Education and Citizenship
Graziella Galea
Shadow Minister for Inclusion
18.08.2026