There are far too many instances in Maltese schools of bullying due to sexual orientation, according to Labour education spokesman Evarist Bartolo.
Mr Bartolo made the statement to mark the International Day of Teachers yesterday, the theme of which is equality between girls and boys.
Teachers should be given all the support they needed to ensure students, including those of a different sexual orientation, were treated equally. He added that teachers should be given respect, adequate working conditions and a salary that reflected the work they did, be involved in any changes made to the education system, and get help to care for children through the employment of professionals in healthcare, social care and psychology.