Labour leader Joseph Muscat said today that Labour is proposing to introduce a fully-paid sabbatical of up to one year to enable teachers to further their studies, in a way which did not cause disruption in schools.

Speaking outside the Lyceum in Hamrun, he said Labour was also proposing a system for teachers to be able to easily transfer between state, private and church schools without losing salary progression.

He said Labour wanted to beef up safety and security in schools. Incidents of violence against teachers were a matter of concern, he said, and should be tackled.

He said all the proposals would be discussed with the Malta Union of Teachers.

In other proposals, Dr Muscat said a Labour government would launch an educational and information campaign to promote more respect for teachers and for the status of teachers in society to be improved.

Labour would also remove clerical and bureaucratic duties which teachers were performing, enabling them to focus on teaching.

'Labour wants to build a coalition with teachers and their union," the Labour leader said.

He said talks would be held on a new minimum national curriculum where teachers would have an enabling role.

An annual national conference for all teaching grades would also be held to discuss the educational system.

He said Labour wanted to improve working conditions for teachers.

Labour would also introduce a new school maintenance programme.