Reopening of schools: ‘Extensive consultations were undertaken with local and international health authorities’

A number of points should be clarified following the editorial carried in last Saturday’s edition of The Malta Independent titled ‘Six months should have been enough to prepare’.

Various work places in the past months have adapted to the “new normal” by introducing measures, following the publication of various protocols by the health authorities. Even in the field of education, we have witnessed very good practices and adjustments in the reopening of childcare centers, summer schools, and in the holding of MATSEC and SEC exams. Together we have overcome the challenges imposed by COVID-19 and all went very well, as the public at large may attest and this despite criticism by some quarters who accused of being irresponsible in the face of the pandemic.

With regard to the re-opening of schools, extensive consultations were undertaken with local and international health authorities, including WHO, until robust protocols were drawn up. Furthermore, all measures requested by the protocols were implemented in all State schools. Independent risk assessors, listed in the OHSA register, inspected each school and certified them as compliant. Therefore any claim that that schools were or are not prepared for re-opening is simply false and incorrect.

Throughout the whole process dialogue was held with the respective teachers’ unions, since State Schools (contrary to some other nonState Schools) are heavily unionized.

Of course, the “new normal” in schools means a revision of various educational practices – from the pedagogical point of view – which now need to adapt or be fine-tuned. We are committed to support our educators in these particular times for our schools.

Now that the dates for re-admission of children in school are set and educators returned back to school last Monday, we look forward to in-class education for the benefit of our students.