Opinion: Students Debated Malta’s Failing Education System During Freshers’ Week… But Where Was Clifton Grima?

Amidst the hustle and bustle of freshers’ week, law student organisation ELSA Malta managed to host a debate on campus, one totally dedicated to our failing education system, which I had the pleasure of taking part in.

“Is the education system failing students?” took place on 3rd October, and when approached to be a speaker on the panel, my first thought was – yes, it definitely is failing our students – which is exactly why debates and discussions of such sort are needed. 

The plan was to have President of the MUT Marco Bonnici, journalist Andrea Caruana, a student speaker, Shadow Minister for Education Justin Schembri, and none other than the Education Minister, Clifton Grima.

All but one accepted to be speakers on the panel, with Grima stating he was unavailable to take part since he would be away. No other representative from his team was sent in his absence, though, which seemed rather strange. 

If the Minister was truly confident in the progress being made within the education system, then he would want to discuss, debate and listen to what students have to say, even if a representative from his team did it instead of him, right? Wrong, apparently.

The minister was not only within the area, but was actually present on the University campus, just 500 metres away from where the debate was to take place.

Grima attended with Prime Minister Robert Abela, as he shook hands with members of student organisations and students alike… those same students who had invited him to discuss an institution directly affecting them.

He went on to state he would be on an airplane within the following two hours, and so, could not take part in the debate.

If the minister wasn’t available for the whole duration of the event, he definitely could have contributed in some way, possibly by sending a delegate instead, or saying a few words prior to the start, at least.

Nonetheless, the debate took place as planned, with the panellists sharing their opinions on what the faults within the system are. An outdated system bereft of the necessary professionals seemed to be the main topic of discussion. The underpayment of teachers, backlash of the MCAST collective agreement, lack of hands-on practical work in the system, among others, were also brought up.

Yet, with all this being discussed, I couldn’t help but feel utterly mocked at the absence of the minister, seeing that he was less than 500 metres away, a matter some of the attendees brought up when addressing questions towards the panel at the end of the debate, or discussion, more aptly put. 

With a failing education system, no input from the person calling the shots was given, which left students and panellists alike questioning – where do our Minister’s priorities truly lie?

If shaking hands and putting up a front are prioritised over listening to students’ concerns and suggestions, what impression does that leave?

Does it encourage students to have faith in the system, have faith in the educators, or in the people leading the country themselves?

Students put in the effort by showing up, proving that they truly want to hear what the Minister, Shadow Minister, President of the MUT and a journalist have to say. The same cannot be said for the Education Minister, however.

My role in it all was simple – serve as a voice for the students, which was quite difficult to carry out when Grima gave no priority whatsoever to debate the ‘changes’ being made and listen to the voices that truly matter – those of the students. 

I find it quite ironic how we are constantly fed this narrative of “greater change” coming about when the leaders of this country are afraid of facing anyone who may criticise the decisions they make.

The message it sends is loud and clear – priorities are given to making appearances and gaining votes, and discussion – which cannot always be scripted – is feared, since criticism proves that this system requires a lot of work, and that it indeed is failing

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