The education authorities have allocated €26 million to ensure that schools have all the requirements to enable them to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Education Minister Owen Bonnici.

For the next year, another € 11 million will be spent so that all protocols will be followed as agreed upon the health authorities.

This was announced during a press conference, where Bonnici said that such spending shows how seriously the government has taken its commitment to education and to the health of pupils, educators and other staff.

Bonnici explained that the additional outlay was needed for increased cleaning staff and procurement of sanitation materials, improved security, payment related to risk assessments, payment related to pre-recorded lessons and additional child-minding services, amongst other requirements.

Bonnici said that Budget 2021 is providing an increase of €65 million for education and jobs, the biggest budget which has ever been voted for the Ministry. He added that this increase excludes the EU funds allocated for education and employment projects.