Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1276949
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 AUGUST 2020 9 NEWS headache: re-opening schools wait to go back to school and our classrooms, but I would not want to go if the number of coronavi- rus cases was still high," she said. "What we are fearing is that the authorities will put our health at risk just to deliver on its commit- ment to open the schools, come what may." The Malta Union of Teachers spokesperson said the situation remains "very fluid" and that a re-evaluation was needed in sev- en weeks as the situation was constantly changing. "The MUT has been asking the education ministry for protocols, guidelines and the way forward for both scenarios so that everyone is pre- pared, whether schools open or otherwise. As we already stated, in March the world was caught off-guard but there is no such ex- cuse this time around. The MUT is ready to start discussions imme- diately." Likewise, Mallia and Agius lamented the lack of communica- tion from the education depart- ment, complaining that they had to learn of the three contingency plans drawn up from the press, and that they were never even no- tified about the decisions being taken. Equally left in the dark are teachers in church schools. Ron- ald Sammut, a secondary school teacher, said he and his colleagues had to rely on media reports to learn about the options being discussed for the reopening of schools. "What is ironic is that, even with the lack of direction from government, many shops and businesses in Malta have al- ready started to introduce meas- ures themselves, such as the num- ber of people allowed in a shop," he said. "And yet the government continues to deny there is a grow- ing problem and the education department seems intent on prov- ing the prime minister right at all costs." But an education ministry spokesman insisted that every possible option had been consid- ered in drawing up the contingen- cy plans to ensure the best out- come however things developed in the weeks to come. "We car- ried out a huge exercise to ensure that – for every contingency – we have full syllabi already in place for every subject for every year, to ensure that any action we take is seamless and does not cause dis- ruption." The spokesman said that the ministry's decision as to wheth- er schools open or remain closed come 28 September would ulti- mately be guided by the advice of the Health Department. "Everyone wants the schools to open, not just us, including edu- cators and parents," they said. "It is, after all, all about safeguarding the children's right to education – and proper education." "We need to be careful; but we also need to adjust to the new normal. I can't put my children's education on hold. Doing so would have serious long- term ramifications." Parent, anonymous "The government continues to deny there is a growing problem and the education department seems intent on proving the prime minister right at all costs." Ronald Sammut, teacher The Malta Union of Teachers spokesperson said the situation remains "very fluid" and that a re- evaluation was needed in seven weeks as the situation was constantly changing