Talks between PM, MUT on reopening of schools ‘inconclusive’

A meeting between the teacher’s union Malta Union of Teachers (MUT), Prime Minister Robert Abela and Education Minister Owen Bonnici on Wednesday ended with an “inconclusive” outcome, the union said.

The meeting was held on Wednesday evening at Castille after MUT had released a statement declaring that discussions with the education authorities had failed.

A delegation from the union met Abela, Bonnici and other government officials.

“This meeting was inconclusive and so the MUT will continue with talks today and its council will once again be meeting later in the afternoon,” the union said.

Schools have been closed since March when the COVID-19 pandemic first began and are scheduled to open on 28 September.

The government is determined that schools are to physically reopen and welcome students, noting that the best form of education is received in the classroom. A number of guidelines have been put in place by health authorities to facilitate the reopening, however teachers unions remain sceptical.