[WATCH] Robert Abela, Chris Fearne insist COVID expert s redeployment not linked to school strike
The Health Ministry says public health consultant Kenneth Grech’s skills were needed elsewhere to secure EU funds and denies his redeployment from the COVID-19 response team is linked in any way to school strike • MUMN says this is bollocks
11 January 2021, 3:21pm
by Kurt Sansone / Nicole Meilak
Health Minister Chris Fearne insists that Kenneth Grech was redeployed because he was needed elsewhere
Updated at 8:00 pm with MAPHM reaction
PM Robert Abela and Health Minister Chris Fearne are reiterating the Health Ministry s claims that public health consultant Kenneth Grech was redeployed from the COVID-19 response team as his expertise was needed elsewhere, and not due to advice given on the reopening of schools.
[WATCH] No general election until electoral manifesto is implemented, Robert Abela says
Prime Minister Robert Abela insists on government’s intentions to implement its 2017 general election manifesto in its entirety
10 January 2021, 12:41pm
by Karl Azzopardi
The Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that a general election will not be called until the Labour Party’s electoral manifesto is fully implemented.
The Labour leader, who was addressing a political event in Mellieha on Sunday, looked back at his achievements one year on from becoming the country’s PM following Joseph Muscat’s resignation in December 2019.
Abela played down rumours that he would be calling a general election early this year, insisting government looks to fulfil its promises with the electorate.
Malta Teachers Union Orders Two-Day Strike After Prime Minister Refuses Return To Online Learning
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Malta Union of Teachers has instructed its members to go on strike tomorrow and Friday after Prime Minister Robert Abela refused their request for schools to go online for the next two days, with the COVID-19 situation evaluated over the weekend.
MUT president Marco Bonnici confirmed that this industrial action will apply to teachers at primary, secondary and post-secondary levels of education.
He announced the strike at a press conference outside Castille, following a meeting with Abela and Education Minister Justyne Caruana.
“The education authorities shouldn’t have ignored the health authorities’ advice for schools to reopen as though there isn’t a problem,” he said. “COVID-19 cases are increasing and we don’t yet know what the impact of the new virus variant will be.”
An agreement to end the school strike and chart a way forward for all schools in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases may be reached in the coming hours, the Malta Union of Teachers said after a meeting at Castille.
MUT President Marco Bonnici described the meeting as productive and hinted at a broad agreement that will encompass State, Church and private schools.
Today was the second day of strike action ordered by the MUT after government refused to have State schools go online at the start of the term. Church schools and some independent schools had unilaterally decided to start the school term online in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.
Students to return to their classrooms on Monday after school strike ends
Students attending State, Church, and independent schools will return back to their classrooms on Monday after agreement is reached between Malta Union of Teachers and government • Educators to be prioritised in COVID-19 vaccine roll out
8 January 2021, 5:44pm
by Nicole Meilak
Classroom teaching will resume from Monday after the MUT called off strike action following an agreement with government that includes better vigilance of the pandemic s progression
Schools will be opening their doors as from Monday 11 January with all health protocols in place after days of negotiations between government and school organisations.