The Malta Union of Teachers yesterday met a representative of the St Michael's Fireworks Factory to discuss the safety of a complex of three schools in Naxxar situated close to the factory, the union said.

The representative of the factory, Joseph Mangion, insisted that the factory, situated in Lija, was built according to law and posed no danger to the schools.

Earlier this week the MUT expressed its concern over the proximity of the factory and advised the administration of Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, the closest to the factory, to close down the recently refurbished grounds nearest to the factory.

The union pointed out that the grounds of the higher secondary school had recently been fitted with artificial turf. There was concern that the turf could be damaged by residue from aerial fireworks.

During yesterday's meeting there seemed to be divergent opinions as to the distance of the factory from the school grounds, the MUT said.

It said Mr Mangion committed himself to providing the MUT with official documentation certifying that the distances from the fireworks factory to the school complex were in conformity with the law.

He also offered to provide all the necessary guarantees for the protection of the turfed school ground at the expense of the fireworks factory. The fireworks factory will also ascertain that the area is free from any unexploded petards fired during the feast of Our Saviour in Lija.

The MUT added that discussions with the factory will continue so as to ascertain the peace of mind of all concerned.

When contacted, MUT president John Bencini clarified that, despite these meetings, the MUT was still calling on the education authorities to carry out an investigation into the matter.

Asked by The Times if any action has been taken by the government regarding the MUT's concerns, Education Minister Dolores Cristina explained that on April 4 she had received a letter from the Head of School and School Council Secretary, Horace Caruana, expressing concern over the fireworks factory's proximity to the school.

Mr Caruana also wrote that he planned to set up an action committee made up of students, teachers, parents and residents to put a stop to the operations of this factory.

On April 15, the minister said, she replied informing Mr Caruana that she had forwarded his letter to Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, requesting that the matter be discussed between the two ministries.

"A meeting will take place in the coming days. The matter will be thoroughly investigated so that the concerns of all may be addressed," she said.