MUT says changing school hours is no solution to traffic congestion
Teachers' union says secondary school students should be allowed to travel for free on public transport
The Malta Union of Teachers said changing or increasing school hours will not resolve the traffic problems afflicting the country and instead proposed free public transport for secondary students.
The union added that public transport should be improved and secondary school students should be allowed to travel for free.
Moreover, the union noted that although the allocation for education increased by 10%, 2.5%will be going to wages while a substantial sum will be cover the scheme allowing teachers to go on a one-year sabbatical.
This leaves little funds for proper investment, the union added. MUT also noted that schools needed to be better supported, financially and through resources, especially since 2,000 foreign students had joined the schools in the past months.
The union welcomed measures against truancy and tax evasion but called for further funds to replace teachers' laptops, which are becoming obsolete.