Malta-founded international language school chain EC English is closing all of its schools around the world with immediate effect, bringing more than 30 years of operations in Malta to an end.The company informed agents and partners that trading and teaching services would cease from Monday, 14th September, saying the decision followed “careful consideration of the circumstances facing our business”.EC said it could no longer provide classes or educational programmes, while a skeleton staff will remain available at its schools on Tuesday.The closure marks the end of a major chapter for Malta’s English-language teaching sector. EC grew from a single school in Malta into one of the world’s largest English-language school chains.The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM) has now issued its own statement confirming that EC English Malta will close its doors after more than 30 years of operation.FELTOM said its immediate priority is supporting students who are currently studying in Malta, with its member schools working together to ensure they can continue their studies elsewhere.Over the coming days, FELTOM will coordinate the allocation of affected students across its member schools, where they will be able to continue attending English lessons.The effort is being supported by Alpha School of English, AM Language, BELS Gozo, BELS Malta, Berlitz English Language Academy, Cavendish School of English, Clubclass English Language Campus, Easy School of Languages, European School of English (ESE), IELS, inlingua School of Languages, NSTS English Language Institute and Sprachcaffe Languages Plus.“FELTOM will remain in close contact with EC, the ELT Council and the relevant authorities throughout this transition to ensure that students are supported and no student is left unattended,” the federation said.Meanwhile, EC said students currently staying in its accommodation will be allowed to remain there until Saturday, 19th September, with accommodation and welfare support continuing temporarily while arrangements are made for their onward travel or return home.EC is also working with school associations on possible relocation options, while all future arrivals and bookings have been halted. Agents have been urged to ensure students with upcoming bookings do not travel to EC schools on the basis of their existing reservations.Questions remain over existing bookings and payments, with EC saying it is working through these issues and will issue a full set of FAQs in the coming days.“We recognise that this is extremely difficult and disappointing news for you and your students,” EC told its partners. “We are deeply sorry for the uncertainty and disruption that this decision will cause.”FELTOM, meanwhile, described the response from Malta’s English-language schools as demonstrating the “strength, unity and solidarity” of the sector.“Our schools are working together. Our students remain our priority. We stand together,” it said.EC did not specify in its communication the circumstances that led to the decision to close its schools worldwide.What do you make of this?•