The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) said in a statement that it was informed that the health authorities had advised the Education Ministry that schools should not open.

 “This, in light of the increase in Covid-19 positive cases expected to be seen over the coming days. This information that reached the MUT over the past hours was confirmed by a number of different sources. It seems, however, that the education ministry ignored this advice and as such, the MUT feels that it needs to protect educators and students.”

The Malta Independent reported earlier today that a spokesperson from the education ministry said that students will return to their classrooms from the Christmas recess as per usual, with state schools opening their doors tomorrow once more for the commencement of the second semester of the scholastic year.

The MUT said that it made a formal request for the government to follow the advice of the health authorities. “If this does not happen, the union will have no other road left except to issue instructions to its members later today.”