Interim committee replaces MCAST CEO and Principal Joachim Calleja after ‘non-renewal of contract’

On Monday (today), the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation confirmed the end of Joachim Calleja’s tenure as the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) CEO and Principal.

The Ministry thanked him for his service and shared its gratitude “for leading the college towards unprecedented academic levels.”

Now, a temporary interim committee has been appointed to “ensure continuity in the college.” It is composed of members of MCAST’s Board of Governors, as well as public servants from the public service.

“This process of change is being carried out in line with public administration rules, as already communicated with stakeholders last May,” the Ministry continued.

It added that the committee will be working with the management immediately to ensure that all students, lecturers, educators and college workers continue to receive support during these times.  

The committee will also focus on issuing a call for a new principal as well as coordinating with the current management and the college’s operations towards the opening of the new academic year.

Prof. Calleja has served in the role for the past six years and on Friday he noted that his contract was not renewed by the Ministry, despite reports that he was removed from his post following industrial actions.

In comments given to the media, he added that after turning 65 years old, the contract was renewed on a yearly basis, as standard practice. Now, Prof. Calleja is 67 years old.

On the other hand, he insists that, “he was not made aware of any decision by the Ministry to fire him and that he was set to complete his contract until the end of the academic year in August.”

The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has been in a long-running dispute with Government over an out-of-date collective agreement resulting in ongoing industrial action at MCAST.

Directives prohibited staff from revealing exam and assessment results to students. This has severely impacted students, so much so that an online petition has circulated asking Prime Minister Robert Abela for help.