Concerned teachers have called for a meeting with the education authorities to discuss an action plan to combat swine flu before the scholastic year kicks off.
The Malta Union of Teachers yesterday wrote to the Education Directorate asking to discuss the measures needed to protect both children and teachers.
Health authorities around the world are expecting the start of the school year to bring about a spike in swine flu cases as schools are considered to be ideal breeding ground for the virus.
The MUT is asking the authorities to ensure teachers are among the first to get the jab against the H1N1 influenza as soon as this is available.
"Teachers are exposed because they are in constant contact with children and many are very worried," MUT president John Bencini said, adding the union wanted alcohol-based hand rubs to be available in classrooms so teachers could clean their hands without having to go to the bathroom.
He said the vast majority of teachers were women and many of them were of childbearing age, making it even more dangerous if they were exposed to disease while pregnant.
"Every year, teachers faced the same problem of children being sent to school even though they are unwell," he said, adding children had been sent to school even when they were sick with Rubella, which could have devastating consequences if contracted by a pregnant woman. Asked what measures were being taken in schools to protect both children and teachers, an Education Ministry spokesman said a circular with instructions had been issued to all heads of schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.
Schools are being instructed to isolate any staff or pupils who appear to have influenza-like symptoms and send them home. Children will only be readmitted to school when they present a medical certificate clearing them of illness.
Schools are also being asked to promote ways to reduce the spread of influenza by encouraging children to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, frequently washing their hands with soap and water or cleaning their hands with alcohol wipes.
The division said waste bins had to be easily accessible and emptied regularly and all cloth towels should be discarded and replaced by paper towels.