As students and teachers start back in schools later this month, an informative and educational campaign has been finalised that will take place in all schools in Gozo and Malta on the A H1N1 flu virus.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea have announced that all state primary and secondary school will reopen as planned on 28th September.

The outreach campaign is planned as a precautionary measure for children and teachers. Children will be able to use different methods to be able to understand the basic precautions to be taken including a song that they can learn.

The Department of Health stresses the importance that anyone who is sick should stay at home, and not go to school or other places. The Department stresses the importance that that this, along with regular hand washing with soap and water, is the most efficient way curbing the spread of influenza.

Teachers in primary schools, church schools and independent shools, who are unable to leave the classroom will be given a solution in a plastic bottle to cleanse their hands.

Secondary school teachers who frequently move classes, must use soap and water to wash in between each lesson.

There will no longer be cloth towels available, these will be replaced by paper towels. Windows in school communal areas will be open as much as possible.

Each school will have a special room made available for any pupil or member of staff to use if they are taken ill whilst at school.

Earlier this year the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly and Community Care sent every household details on the precautions to be taken, some of which are:

• avoiding contact with people who are ill with flu

• To cover your mouth when coughing.

• To regularly clean surfaces and taps with soap and water.

A brochure can be obtained from ww.doi.gov.mt and www.gov.mt.