The Malta Union of Teachers yesterday called off a meeting about education reform lambasting the government for what it termed as a hostile attitude towards teachers.

Kindergarten assistants and supply teachers held a two-hour long strike yesterday following directives issued last week.

The strike was a success, MUT president John Bencini said, criticising the attitude of several principals who, he said, called heads of schools late on Thursday night instructing them to take in young children dropped off at school when the strike was in progress.

That was unacceptable and scandalous, he said, deeming it a form of strike breaking.

Mr Bencini described the strike as a "total success" and thanked all parents who supported the teachers.

On Thursday evening, the Education Ministry informed parents that it was business as usual and, as a result, they should send their children to school as usual. "Heads, assistant heads and teachers should make sure that the lessons continue regularly," it added.

Mr Bencini said it was unacceptable that teaching staff should be placed in such a position.

He said, the Education Ministry "irresponsibly" placed the health and safety of young children at risk, adding that the schools were not properly staffed.

As a result, the union decided not to attend a meeting with the Education Directorate on Tuesday.