<a href='https://ads.independent.com.mt/www/delivery/ck.php?n=afef72b0&cb=13' target='_blank'><img data-src='https://ads.independent.com.mt/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=22&cb=13&n=afef72b0' border='0' alt='' /></a>Respect towards educators is not only reflected in their salaries but also in the trust and freedom granted to them, ADPD-The Green Party said Saturday. While salary improvements last year reflected recognition of their work, true respect also comes from trusting educators to express themselves freely. The Ombudsman noted that when critical thinking is lacking in education, silencing educators is especially damaging. ADPD argued that demanding educators follow ministry guidelines before speaking recalls colonial-era controls rather than democratic values. ADPD insisted that if children are to be nurtured as critical thinkers, educators cannot be restricted from sharing their own views.