The teachers’ union has expressed concern about the proposed setting up of an international school at the site of the Old Military Hospital in Mtarfa.

In a statement, the Malta Union of Teachers said it wrote to the Education Minister on behalf of educators at independent schools to express its apprehension.

In April, the government published a request for proposals for the conversion of the former Mtarfa hospital into an international school, with the chosen investors also tasked with the running of the school.

The MUT asked about the viability and sustainability of having an additional school, especially regarding the effect it would leave on the independent school sector in Malta.

It asked whether a study had been conducted on the feasibility and impact of such a school before the expression of interest was issued.

The union also asked about the requirements and standards of the new school and who would be recruited to teach there.

The MUT asked whether the contract winner would be from the educational sector to avoid a repeat of recent experiences which were not exactly successful in getting a proper educational institution up and running.