The Malta Union of Teachers said that in yesterday's meeting with the government, it was confirmed that a communication that was sent by a high ranking health authority official regarding its position on the opening of schools exists.

"This was confirmed in the presence of Independent, Church and State school representatives. This confirmation resulted in a request being made to the government for an analysis and presentation to be delivered by the health authorities over the communication in question, where the MUT and the schools' representatives asked Dr Vincent Marmara to also attend, as an expert, to provide an objective analysis of the pandemic situation. This all backs up the union's position taken this week where it said that the Education Ministry must take advice on the opening of schools."

The MUT said that it will continue updating its members.

A meeting between the Malta Union of Teachers and the government last night to resolve the strike action was inconclusive and the union yesterday said that discussions are set to continue today. The strike that began yesterday is set to continue today.

The MUT previously claimed that health authorities had recommended that schools revert to online learning as a result of the pandemic, but that this had been ignored by the Education Ministry - a claim which health authorities denied.

The statement issued by the union today deals with this topic.

On Wednesday, Malta reported a record-high number of 224 cases of Covid-19 - prompting major concern on the reopening of schools and ultimately the MUT's decision to strike. The government insisted that there was no reason for schools to remain closed. Church and independent schools, conversely, opted for online teaching as from Thursday.