The Malta Union for Teachers (MUT) is appealing to the government to stop construction work which is taking place during school hours near the Victoria Middle School in Gozo. A video shows students in a classroom with heavy machinery just outside their classroom, making it near impossible for them to concentrate or focus on work.

The school is described to be 'sandwiched' between two massive construction projects, which the union explains can lead to 'serious health and safety shortcomings and to unbearable noise from the sports complex project'.

MUT has threatened to take industrial action unless construction work is stopped during school hours. If no action is taken, on Monday members at the school are to report to work at the neighbouring senior school.

"Students and educators should not be put at risk and everything has to be done to protect and safeguard everyone at the school." The union said that pupils and teachers cannot hold conversations in corridors, let alone concentrate on lessons in classrooms.