The GSD have issued a statement regarding NASUWT’s recent comments on the trespassing incident at Westside School. The GSD has called for the Government to issue an explanation on when the emergency plan was added to the school’s staff handbook.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

The statement by NASUWT that there was no emergency plan at Westside school in place before last week’s incident  and that this was “subsequently added to the school’s staff handbook” after the trespassing incident is shocking not  least because the Government has stated to the public the exact opposite. If in fact the plan has been added after the  event as the Union has indicated it is shocking and shameful for the Government to have falsely said there was a plan in place. 

Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi said: “This is very serious. The Government confirmed to the media on  Monday that Westside School had an emergency response plan which was “triggered” during last week’s incident. The  Government now need to explain when this plan was in place, why all teachers do not seem to have known about it and why the Union are saying this was “subsequently added” to the school handbook. How can it have been triggered  if it was “subsequently added.” It would be a disgrace for them to mislead the public on an issue as central to children’s  safety.” 

Shadow Education Minister Edwin Reyes said: “As the Leader of the Opposition already stated in Parliament when this  incident happened last week lessons need to be learned and security measures enhanced at all our schools. What  would be a travesty is that the Government misleads the public on the level of preparedness to make themselves look  better. They should focus on strengthening security for our children, teachers and staff and deliver the truth.”