At the start of the scholastic year, the Malta Union of Teachers on Monday denounced "the failure of the Education Ministry to support its employees who are providing essential support to students."

Counsellors, career advisors, psychotherapists, resource workers and other professionals who provide essential support services to students in schools do not have a renewed collective agreement despite its expiry in December 2023, the MUT said.

There is also a consequential effect on Church Schools since an agreement with the government affects directly Student Support Services grades in Church schools.

Almost three years down the line, the Education Ministry has not renewed the agreement despite several attempts which were carried out by the MUT, which included negotiations meetings and industrial actions.

The latest action by the union involved the evoking of the conciliatory mechanism of the public service as per procedure, the union said.

To date the requested conciliation was not carried out. Besides affected professionals who are suffering from these delays, students are not being provided with the required support services owing to increased turnover and vacant positions which are not being filled, pending a renewed agreement.

The MUT appealed to the Education Ministry to get its priorities straight and to address this situation for the benefit of affected employees, students and schools.