‘Excellence Centres, Grants And More’: PN To Make Education An ‘International Reference Point’
‘Centres of Excellence’, nutrition policies, vouchers, and more. Plans for a radical overhaul of the country’s education sector have been announced by the PN.
In recent days, the PN has hit education with a multitude of angles in an effort to revamp the sector in Malta. A Party press call delivered on Monday saw several additional proposals added to that, in the Party’s mission to make the country an ‘International reference point’ across the globe through “radical changes in the sector.”
“Our teachers are not only given thanks through words, but through actions too,” Grech began. “For their hard work, which they have in recent times done at their own risk and the ones they hold dear.”
“Our strategy is based on a formula that is tied to the gross domestic product of the country. We are working for better conditions on every single level.”
“We will open a specialised secondary school every year for people to excel in technology, the metaverse, virtual reality, manufacturing, robotics, arts and culture, alongside excellence programs for apprenticeships, by partnering with reputable entities able to deliver this education; incentivising them with up to a 35% reduction in tax.”
“The excellence centers will also include tying together sports, arts, and music. For that there will be a wide ecosystem focused on sowing seeds for the future, by way of our children,” he added.
Aside from better salaries for educators, the party today announced that they would also be introducing foods of high nutritional value. A strategy meant to combat Malta’s worsening situation of childhood obesity, which has touched the lives of 40% of kids of middle-school age.
In addition, Grech spoke of the Party’s aims to increase family time between all stakeholders of the education sector. Students and educators alike. And on the subject of free time, we could also be made to see ‘Study Leave’ being introduced to those undertaking exams or working full-time, for courses of MQF level 5 and beyond.
More stipends, opportunities abroad, better incentives for extracurricular activities, it was just the beginning, according to Opposition Leader Bernard Grech.
Parents too, would see themselves pulled into the party’s plans with Grech talking of schemes to have reductions on tax to parents of children engaged in sport-related activities, including a Є300 grant, if the child is under age 18, for simply taking part in an extracurricular activity. Vouchers of up to Є500, for persons of age 16 – 24 years engaged in the sporting or art sector will be set up.
“There will be an incentive to help every person in Malta develop their talents on a personal basis. Because we all come from different walks of life.”
The proposals follow a series of other proposals already communicated by the Party and the Party Leader, such as the increase in student maintenance grants and stipends to up to 25%.
“We will open these centers in every sector,” Grech concluded. “Education will be a new economic sector that would be a point of reference across the globe.”
70% of students attain the grades required to enter university. A sentiment that sees many of such youths ‘abandon all hope’ and flee to pastures new.
Grech, in the name of the party, maintained that this was a critical issue that needed to be addressed. That even if a student requires education otherwise delivered on foreign soil, it would be the Government’s duty to help that individual achieve the dream.
What do you make of these proposals?