The impasse between the Malta Union of Teachers and the Education Ministry could be resolved this morning after the two sides exchanged correspondence.

MUT general secretary Joseph DeGiovanni told The Times he believed there was ground for discussions to restart between the two sides over educational reforms and disciplinary procedures against a student who assaulted his teacher.

The union announced last week it was severing all ties with the ministry because it felt its members' democratic right to take part in industrial action was being undermined.

In a letter, Mr DeGiovanni asked Education Minister Louis Galea to confirm that his appeal to school heads' and assistant heads' sense of duty to report for work on time last Thursday - despite an MUT directive for schools to open an hour late - should not be interpreted as an attempt by the authorities to deny them the right to strike.

The MUT directive was one of three in solidarity with the geography teacher who was attacked last month by a student at a school in Paola.

When contacted, Mr DeGiovanni said a reply was received from the minister informing the union he never intended to deny heads and assistant heads their right to strike, adding that the government acted in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Mr DeGiovanni said the MUT's negotiation team should meet up this morning to discuss the minister's reply.

Thursday's action was hailed as a "big success" by Mr DeGiovanni, who added teachers were under "big stress" because of the behaviour of a few students.