The Malta Union of Teachers insisted today that it is not prepared to hold talks on longer school hours.

Reacting to comments by the Chamber of Commerce, which had called for longer school hours, the MUT said it was the only organisation which had negotiated and signed an agreement with the government which included school hours.

The agreement was signed in August 2010 and the union said it was not prepared to reopen the discussion.

The union said it could not understand how the Chamber wanted the matter to be discussed in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development when the Chamber itself was resisting calls by the Forum of trade unions - which includes the MUT - to form part of the council.

The union recalled that its agreement with the government included measures for after-hours education services.

Furthermore, it said, it was shameful that there were still some associations and individuals who considered professional teachers as little more than baby sitters.