Commissioner for Education discusses role and impact of the Ombudsman on Campus FM

Commissioner for Education discusses role and impact of the Ombudsman on Campus FM

Published March 26, 2026

The Commissioner for Education, Chief Justice Emeritus Vincent A. De Gaetano, was interviewed by Prof. Andrew Azzopardi on Campus FM, where he spoke about his experience in addressing complaints within the education sector.

During the interview, the Commissioner highlighted that even when a complaint is not upheld, complainants often express appreciation for the process. He explained that many complaints arise from a lack of clear communication, and that better explanations by public authorities can often prevent disputes.

He also referred to the value of informal resolution, noting that several cases are settled through the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman without the need for a formal investigation.

The Commissioner outlined the process followed when a formal investigation is carried out. When a complaint is found to be justified, recommendations are issued to the public authority concerned, which is given time to implement them. If no action is taken, the matter may be escalated to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, to Parliament. In some cases, implementation follows once the issue is brought before Parliament.

Although the Ombudsman’s recommendations are not legally binding, the Commissioner emphasised that they carry significant moral authority. He noted that public authorities respect the institution, with approximately 89% of recommendations being implemented.

The Commissioner underlined the importance of maintaining this moral authority, allowing the Office to identify shortcomings in public administration, explain why they are wrong, and recommend how they should be addressed. He also expressed the view that cases of non implementation referred to Parliament should be actively discussed.