Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1251774
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MAY 2020 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday Weather Partly to rather cloudy Visibility Good Wind Light and variable Sea Slight Swell Negligible becoming low Northeast TODAY TOMORROW Weather Crossword Across 1. Cautious (7) 5. Chew on (4) 8. Flourish (7) 9. Correspondence (7) 10. Lift up (7) 12. Thing that sucks (6) 15. Culpability (5) 18. Decorated with tufts (6) 20. Ear ornament (3-4) 23. German measles (7) 25. Arabian Nights hero (3,4) 26. Look at amorously (4) 27. Hampshire town (7) Down 1. Operatic soprano (6) 2. Fissure (4) 3. Front leg (7) 4. Pass into disuse (5) 5. Covering for the hand (5) 6. Language letters (8) 7. Welcome (5) 11. Rhythmic swing (4) 13. Delightful (8) 14. Undoing (4) 16. Boat for towing (7) 17. Dense element (5) 19. Lethal (6) 21. Icon (5) 22. Sauce (5) 24. Recline in a relaxed manner (4) POSSIBLE SHOWERS UV: 10 MAINLY SUNNY UV: 10 24 0 / 17 0 24 0 / 17 0 FEELS LIKE 24 0 FEELS LIKE 24 0 LAURA CALLEJA THE Union of Professional Edu- cators (UPE) has raised concerns over a "baffling" lack of informa- tion and communication between the government and educators on summer school Skolasajf. The UHM teachers union said the nature of Skolasajf was not conducive with maintaining so- cial distancing, and that no clar- ifications have been put forward as to how this obstacle should be overcome. It said those expected to work within those structures as of yet have not been informed of any new expectations, regulations or measures. "To say that the union was baf- fled by the lack of information and communication by the Ministry on the matter is an understate- ment. The ministry has made no contact with the union to inform it of any protocols intending to keep our schools COVID-free, and this lack of consultation can- not be expected to be received nonchalantly on our end, trusting in the bona fide and good practice of the Ministry," the union said. "Nothing has been announced regarding the provision and use of protective gear and facilities, nor has any light been shed on class sizes or additional proce- dures and measures that will need to be in place from day 1. How will our educators be ex- pected to work? How will their roles differ from the original job description? How will feeding and cleaning duties be conduct- ed? How will our LSEs be able to maintain a safe distance in full accordance with the recommen- dations on social distancing?" The UPE said those are just a few questions which it cannot help but ask itself, since "no solid an- swer has been given to date. The UPE can only express its dissent at opening Skolasajf to the public." The union said it expected the ministry to initiate communica- tion immediately, to inform the union of the protocols which will be put into place on the opening day of Skolasajf. If these protocols are not pre- sented, or if they are not satisfac- tory, the union said It would in- struct its members not to attend Skolasajf, and resign from their posts, to safeguard their own well- being as well as that of their fami- lies at home. "The union will not sit and watch waiting to see if the ministry is going to treat our educators and children like Guinea pigs in a petri dish scenario which might lead to an increase in infection rate. All the union wants is to ensure that our educators are being offered a safe working environment, and whether or not this can be done is yet to be established." The UPE said that if the union found that Skolasajf was unable to guarantee the health and safety of its educators, children and their respective families, the union would be compelled to instruct its members to opt-out completely. Skolasajf could be 'petri dish for increased infection' says UPE