Schools to open on Monday, ministry warns bus operators to provide services

Updated 2.13pm with Education Ministry statement.

One of Malta’s main school transport providers has announced that it will not operate school vans on Monday, citing safety concerns linked to post-election celebrations. But the Education Ministry said schools will open as usual and it expects the transport providers to provide services in line with their contractual obligations.  

Coop Services Ltd, which provides school transport to a significant number of schools across the island, said it had decided not to operate school vans on the day after the election because it feared children could be put at risk during drop-offs.

A company spokesperson confirmed the decision to Times of Malta, saying it was "a matter of responsibility and safety.”

The spokesperson said the company was concerned about traffic disruption caused by revellers' carcades and trailers carrying people celebrating the election result.

“To make matters worse, this is the first day of half days, so when we need to get the children back, this is the same time that whoever will be the next prime minister needs to be sworn in," the spokesperson said.

The company added that it expected several roads to be closed because of official ceremonies and celebrations.

“Areas like Sliema, St. Julians, Ħamrun and Valletta will all be a mess on the street with the carcades, ceremonies taking place and parties at their respective headquarters.”

The spokesperson said the company was particularly concerned about children’s safety during afternoon drop-offs.

He said similar events, such as St Patrick’s Day, already made it difficult to return children to some localities, adding that an election would pose an even greater challenge because of celebrations on the roads.

The company said it understood that children needed to attend school but believed it was acting responsibly by suspending the service for the day. It said arrangements would have to be made by parents and schools.

“I understand that when they are inside these schools, they are in a safe and protected space, however, outside it is a completely different matter,” he said.

The spokesperson said the decision was not unusual for the company and had been its policy for as long as he had worked there, a period of more than 30 years.

The spokesperson confirmed that the normal school bus service would resume on Tuesday, June 2.  

Some schools have started emailing parents alerting them about the lack of transport on Monday, insisting that schools will still open as normal. At least one school had already assigned June 1 as a "study day" for students with staff attending a "development day". 

The Education Ministry in its statement said schools will open as usual on Monday and parents and pupils should follow the normal arrangements for school, including transport.