Valletta Malta, October 12 2015 – Minister of Finance, Hon. Professor Edward Scicluna has announced Budget for Malta in 2016. The government has expressed satisfaction with regards to principles and policies issued in previous budgets that have ensured Malta in a direction of a steady economic growth.
The proposed budget surely accentuates features on the improvement on traffic management, environment sustainability, regional developments, domestic tariffs, health and wellbeing, education and certain amenities.
ESO has reacted to convey a collective opinion to remark and review a few of the presented incentives and policies in relation to student life.
COLA set to a €1.75 increase
Whereas we feel that this has been an improvement from the mere €0.58 we have been given in the previous budget we raise the question of whether this really reflects the expenses students face. The cost of public transport that the majority of University students make use of has effectively increased from the preceding year. Furthermore, given the current situation of the inefficient local transport, more students have opted and are gradually diverting to owning private vehicles. Most cars are using more fuel due to our congestive traffic and lack of parking spaces. Knowing that most of our students find it impossible to manage both a working post and a demanding course, ESO feels that €1.75 per stipend income does not in reality compensate for the majority of the students’ overheads.
Reduction in VAT on sports measures
Following the recent study assessing the rates of obesity in Europe; where Malta unfortunately placed first, reducing 7% of VAT rates on gym membership fees, fees charged by football nurseries and similar establishments is definitely an encouragement to many to include more exercise in their daily routine. Awareness about this alarming problem should nonetheless be extended and exhausted especially in our educational curriculums.
Reduction in fuel prices
Although globally gas prices are at their lowest prices since 2009, a reduction in fuel prices is always welcomed.
Reduction on the annual license for small motorcycles to a flat rate of €10
ESO strongly agrees with such an initiative and hopes that with such an attractive incentive many of the Maltese students will reject the obsession of driving cars and opt to a more environmental friendly and convenient way of transportation. Whilst acknowledging the fact that motorcycles may be riskier to drive and maneuver, the organization hopes that additional bicycle lanes and road measures are enforced for more safety to both motorbike and vehicle drivers.
€300 allowance for Gozitan students
ESO further agrees with this incentive – a just financial aid for Gozitan students living here independently encouraging them to pursue their studies here in Malta.
A new educational institution to open for students over 16 years possessing only one SEC examination
Malta standing in the 25th ranking position (out of the EU27) on the latest OECD PISA literacy ranking list with a 36% illiteracy rate has prompted Labour government to strategize a national campaign to ameliorate our literacy system. Institutions such as the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary and (previously) even MCAST have been providing the stated opportunity to students. ESO feels that the government should not urbanize another area and generate yet another enterprise to our already-complex education system. Instead, the government should preferably focus on enlarging and improving the institution already providing this service or re-establishing the services at MCAST. Numerous literacy campaigns are also being put into place, in both primary and secondary education institutions. These campaigns should also be introduced in childcare institutions to maximize their full potential.
Mature students to receive a stipend
Even though this proposal is undoubtedly a beneficial one, ESO believes that the stipend could alternatively be invested elsewhere in sectors such as: in the allocation to research funds, infrastructure improvements in our education institutions, advancements in technological equipment for student use, investing in new and highly sought postgraduate courses and for traineeship and work placements portals which are highly demanded especially at University of Malta.