The agreement reached with the Malta Union of Teachers is the best ever for the profession, Prime Minister Robert Abla said Friday.
The two sides came to terms at the 11th hour as an ultimatum set by the union was about to expire.
Speaking in Rabat, the PM referred to steps that the government is taking to give attention to mental health. Some 120 patients in a stable condition will be moved to the community from Mount Carmel Hospital, monitored by their carers.
The second step is the opening of a mental health ward in Mater Dei Hospital, and later one for people suffering from acute mental illness at a cost of €33 million.
Abela said it is deceitful to say that the health sector can operate without foreign workers, adding that the government had embarked on a plan to create a rigorous set-up for temping agencies.
He also referred to the reform that is being carried out in the Family Court, one which he said will lead to a specialised mediation process aimed to bring parties together.