VALLETTA, Dec. 21(Xinhua) -- The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has signed an agreement with the Maltese government over working conditions for teachers in state schools.

The new sectoral agreement, which will come into force next year and run till 2022, was the result of intense negotiations.

Frank Fabri, permanent secretary of the Education Ministry, explained that the agreement would start to be implemented immediately, with a committee set up to oversee the process.

Earlier this year, MUT had declared a trade dispute with the government when negotiations on teachers' salaries appeared to have stalled.

Last month,the government and MUT have reached an agreement to raise teachers' salaries by 20 percent.

According to the agreement signed on Thursday, teachers will be granted more teaching resources, as well as the opportunity to receive up to 360 hours of specialised training.

Teaching syllabi will also changed, giving teachers more autonomy and freedom in their classroom.