All state schools will open as planned on September 28 but various measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said today.

They stressed that all those having flu symptoms should stay at home and not go to school.

"It would be irresponsible to send children to school if they are ill or have flu symptoms," Mr Galea said.

Mrs Cristina said swine flu had spread across the globe but no country had decided to keep its schools closed.

She said an information campaign would be addressed at school children and would be conducted by the Health and Safety Unit within the Directorate of Educational Services. The emphasis would be on the frequent washing of hands and other recommendations issued by the Community Care Department. A song in Maltese has been prepared as part of the campaign. The children will sing it every day during their school assembly.

The campaign will also feature cartoons, posters and a mascot, Wizu.

Teachers will be provided with a solution with which to wash their hands frequently.

Towels made of cloth will be replaced by paper towels and windows in corridors will be kept open, where possible.

Each school will have a room where anybody feeling sick will wait until he/she is picked up.