The Malta Union of Teachers will not be calling off tomorrow's two-hour strike despite a "positive" five-hour long meeting with Education Ministry officials to discuss the reforms for the supply category.

The union last week called a rally and issued directives to kindergarten assistants and supply teachers to turn up for work two hours late in a bid to push the government to implement the agreed reforms.

When the rally was announced, the government contacted the MUT and requested a meeting. However, during the rally, MUT president John Bencini warned the government it would attend but not call off the strike.

Mr Bencini described the meeting as positive. During the meeting, union officials held discussions with Education Minister Dolores Cristina, members of the Education Directorate and the Management and Personnel Office.

"The minister listened to our concerns and understood our difficulties. The government also admitted that our problems were justified and will make an effort to address these issues," Mr Bencini said.

During the rally, Mr Bencini had promised union members that tomorrow's strike was the first in a series of directives until the government took action. The union called the directive after waiting over 18 months for the implementation of the promised reforms.

On October 31, the union had declared an industrial dispute with the government on a number of issues, including the delay in the publication of exam results for kindergarten assistants, the implementation of the reform agreement and a proposed addendum.