The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) said that in the case of Skola Sajf it never ordered any dispute or industrial action. However, for the children’s welfare and safety, the Union advised its members to send children back home at those centres where not enough staff were deployed to take care of the safety of such children.

On Sunday, the Education Ministry said it was postponing the opening of Skola Sajf by a week because of pending industrial action.

The Union would like to remind that Skola Sajf is not a formal school setting but involves physical activities such as outings, swimming and other games. This means that security is of paramount importance.

One should also note that the Union has been informing the Ministry for more than three weeks about problems in the organisation of Skola Sajf. The Union, in fact, was informed that until yesterday morning there were not enough staff at the majority of the centres.

In fact, after a letter in which the MUT proposed that Skola Sajf is suspended by a few days until the disorganisation of the initiative is rectified, the Minister replied immediately and confirmed that he is taking into consideration what the MUT is saying.

The Union expects all entities concerned to rectify the chaotic situation in the next couple of days for the benefit of children and of workers at the centres, who surely do not deserve such disrupting workplace.  In the meantime the Union will be informing the Ministry about the shortcomings of which it is informed.