The discussions on the sectoral agreement between the teacher’s union (MUT) and the Education Ministry are “still ongoing,” with weekly meetings having been held since January of this year, MUT President Marco Bonnici said.

Education Minister Clifton Grima has repeatedly said that the promised “significant” wage increase for educators is still an “ongoing discussion.”

Asked by The Malta Independent on delays of the discussions, as well as a definitive date as to when the discussions would conclude, Bonnici said that “the MUT and the Education Ministry are still exchanging principles and proposals to establish common grounds and areas of agreement and/or disagreement,” saying that the process is still ongoing, and “negotiations are proceeding as planned.”

Bonnici did not give any more details.

The new sectoral agreement covers the seven main grades, and some others, being teachers, LSEs, kindergarten educators (KGEs), HODs, Assistant Heads (AH), Education Officers (EOs) and Head of School (HOS) and will include a better financial package. Bonnici was asked if the discussions are in fact suggesting a “significant increase” for educators.

He said that the MUT aims to improve the working conditions including the financial package of educators. He added that weekly meetings have been held since January 2023.

The sectoral agreement negotiations between the union and the ministry started in December 2022.

Bonnici continued that the MUT is updating its council, working groups and members about the agreement, and will be holding conferences for members in the coming weeks to discuss the latest updates.