In the light of a new arrangement between the government and private schools, all fees due will be reduced by at least 35%, until such time that education is given online, the Education Ministry said. 

The Ministry maintained, however, that the government has made it clear that this is a private arrangement, between the private persons and the private schools, and for this reason, it one of the parties feels there needs to be a revision of the fees, this needs to take place following discussion and an agreement between them.

The Ministry also said that all educators and teachers who work in private school and in childcare centres will not be at risk of losing their job after the Education Ministry reached an agreement to sustain these jobs.

Negotiations took place, separately, between the Association for Independent Schools and the Association of Childcare Centers, and an agreement was reached that the Education Ministry will sustain a total of 2,100 jobs in the sector of formal and informal private education.

In total, private schools employ over 900 workers full-time and over 180 workers part-time. The agreement also holds that no student will lose their place in these schools. The educators that work in private schools will continue to educate their students online, as is currently the system in public and church schools.

The number of full-time employees in childcare centres amounts to 778, whilst there are 269 employees who work part-time. 

The government is encouraging childcare centres to continue to provide their services and activities online and to keep up the communication with the parents, as is being done by the Foundation for Education Services. By doing so, Malta will be assured that the childcare scheme will continue to operate, as normal, immediately after the COVID-19.

Press release from the Malta Chamber of SMEs

The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) welcomes the agreement reached with the Ministry for Education and Employment, covering childcare centres, and the sectorial commitment to retain jobs and guarantee income for carers.

The Chamber of SMEs said that along with the Childcare Centre Providers Association (CCPA), they reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Employment, following weeks of negotiations. This agreement will safeguard the sustainability of the centres, putting at rest the worries of owners, as well as the carers working in the centres.

Thanks to this agreement no jobs within the industry will be lost and the industry will continue with its efforts of supporting parents and young children remotely, in line with the rest of the education sector. This agreement with also ensure that childcare centres will be ready to reopen immediately, as soon as the Superintendent of Public Health gives the go ahead. This in order to continue supporting working parents returning to their job, the Chamber noted.

Prior to reaching the agreement the centre owners were under great worry and pressure as the future of their centre was unknown, the Chamber said, adding that they were also unable to inform their employees on the immediate way forward, which would have effected their livelihood.