5,489 students returned to state schools on Monday, the government said. The reopening of schools is being carried out in a staggered manner so as to avoid overcrowding during the first week.

78% of eligible students in Grade 9, 77% in Grade 6 and 60% in Kindergarten II returned to school on Wednesday, the Education Ministry said.  

Students are abiding by protocols introduced to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19.

More than 50 measures have been introduced.

These include new rules on how students enter the facility, the engagement of security officials, increased cleaning hours, social distancing measures inside the classrooms, classroom bubbles, the use of masks and visors and the urging of personal hygiene.

Education Minister Owen Bonnici, accompanied by the Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Frank Fabri, visited the Pembroke Secondary School on Wednesday.

Students from Kindegarten 1, Grade 1 and Grade 11 will return to schools on Thursday.

All students will have returned to school by Wednesday 14 October.