Students from St Clare College visit the Office of the Ombudsman

Students from St Clare College visit the Office of the Ombudsman

Published March 11, 2025

As part of the Ombudsman’s school talks initiative, a group of Year 9 students and their teachers from St Clare College Sir Adrian Dingli Pembroke Secondary visited the Office of the Ombudsman for an interactive session on good governance, the Rule of Law, and the right to good administration.

During the visit, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Justice Emeritus Vincent De Gaetano, delivered a detailed presentation on the role of the Ombudsman, explaining how the institution serves as an independent authority that investigates complaints of maladministration. He described how the Ombudsman ensures that government decisions are not only lawful but also fair, transparent and ethical. The presentation highlighted that not everything that is legally correct is necessarily just, and that public administration must also adhere to moral and ethical benchmarks.

The Commissioner explained the four key focal points of the Rule of Law: accountability, just laws, open government and accessible and impartial justice.

Students also learned about the importance of good administration, which ensures that public officials act in the best interest of citizens and provide proper reasoning for their decisions. The session included discussions on how individuals can hold authorities to account, in line with the principle that everyone has the right to challenge unfair decisions.

The visit concluded with an engaging mock complaint exercise, where students applied their knowledge to real-world scenarios, considering what constitutes maladministration and how to seek redress. The interactive nature of the session encouraged students to reflect on their role in promoting fairness, justice, and accountability in society.