Introduction
The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji continuously strives to represent and protect the rights and
entitlements of the entire student body. Thus, the scope of this post-budget report is to elicit the
most relevant aspects which directly impact the students and present recommendations to further
improve the selected proposals.
Welfare
Cost of living
Malta is continuously proving to have a stable economy year after year and thus, this can be
reflected in an increase of 2.33 EUR in the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2019. Such an
increase, in turn, shall also have a positive effect on the students’ stipends throughout the year.
Taxes
The VAT rate which to date, has been linked to books and anything related to DVDs, SD cards or
USBs, being that of 5%, has now also been extended to books, newspapers as well as electronic
publications. The council applauds such a lowered VAT rate since this will most definitely leave a
positive impact on the personal finances of the students with respect to their daily university
expenses.
Minimum Wage
Continuing with last year’s budget, employees falling within the minimum wage bracket in 2017
were able to benefit from a 3 EUR weekly increment during 2018, being their second year of
employment. In 2019, being their third year of employment, they will also get to benefit from an
additional weekly 3 EUR increment. This measure continues to be an impactful one, particularly
for the students, due to the fact that most University and post-secondary students’ wage fall within
this minimum wage bracket.
Infrastructure
Road Works
This year, the government shall be allocating 100,000,000 EUR towards road works. The Kunsill
Studenti Universitarji applauds such an investment whilst stressing the importance of keeping in
mind bicycle users given recent events. Hence, the Council would like to urge the government to
ensure maximum safety for bicycle users whilst implementing any projects they have in mind
related to road works.
Green Areas
The government will be allocating €1,000,000 towards the creation and maintenance of
new green areas. In fact, Infrastructure Malta is going to initiate a programme related to
Urban Gardens for such a purpose. The Council commends such an investment and urges
the government to work towards a greener environment.
Parking Spaces
The government aims at introducing new schemes to encourage developers to create new
parking spaces, especially in urban areas, by also making use of modern technology; such
as mobile apps and electronic signs indicating the available spaces. The Council suggests
that the government should still shift its focus towards carpooling and other green
initiatives.
Education
Revision of Course Classification of all Licensed Educational Institutes
The government promised the revision of the classification of courses offered by all licensed
educational institutes, namely the University of Malta and MCAST. The aim of such an initiative is
to incentivise students to opt for courses that the industry needs. KSU would like further clarification
on this particular proposal.
Regional Youthwork Service to Offer Informal Civic Education in Schools
The government aims at improving the service of regional youthwork by offering informal education
in schools in light of vote 16. The Council applauds the government for offering informal civic
education in schools following the “vote 16”. This proposal falls in line with the Council’s
recommendations issued during the previous term, wherein the following was held:
“As student representatives, we strongly feel that civic education should be tackled meticulously
and with utmost responsibility to ensure the smooth transition of the proposed constitutional
amendments”
Gozo
Accommodation for Gozitan Students
The Ministry for Gozo and ecclesiastical entities are to continue discussing accommodation for
Gozitan students at reasonable rent rates. The government also aims at extending the subsidies
given to those who fall under the Accommodation Scheme for Gozitan students. The Council
urges the government to keep in mind the extra expenses that are borne by Gozitan
students and to continue lessening such a burden.
Park and Ride
The government aims at introducing a Park and Ride projected to address the parking
situation in Mġarr Harbour while also reducing gas emissions in Gozo, hence investing in
the quality of air. KSU applauds such an initiative as it is in line with the Council’s efforts
towards alternative modes of transport and its green agenda.
Transport
Public Transport
A further improvement over and above last year’s offer of free Tal-Linja Cards to youths aged 16
to 20 was seen in this year’s budget. The government held that all full-time students will be eligible
to free public transport. KSU is pleased with such a measure as it ties in with the Council’s efforts
towards alternative modes of transport and its green agenda.
Alternative Measures
This year’s budget has also given focus to alternative measures of transport whereby there have
been proposed measures related to the extension of subsidies with respect to pedelec bikes,
electric bikes as well as scooters. Moreover, the government promised the extension of the grant
on the installation of bicycle racks. KSU applauds such measures as these go directly in line KSU’s
mission statement for the year which merely focuses on sustainability as well as a greener and
cleaner environment.
Health
New Machinery Purchased for the National Blood Bank
The government aims at improving the services offered by the National Blood Bank by purchasing
new machinery. The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji feels strongly about this matter as it is of utmost
importance that the services offered by the National Blood Bank are the best that they can be,
especially in light of the constant need of blood donations.
Voluntary Organisations
The government aims at improving the national strategy for the voluntary sector, thanks to which
more Voluntary Organisations will be tax exempt. Amongst the categories of VOs that will be
exempt, the government mentioned VOs with a yearly income not exceeding €10,000, which will
also be tax exempt. The government raised the point that these VOs need to be registered and in
conformity with the categories recognised by the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. The
Kunsill Studenti Universitarji applauds the government for taking on such an initiative as it goes
hand in hand with the Council’s aim of encouraging active participation.
Migration
The Government aims to focus on migration issues by ensuring that the influx of irregular
immigrants and human trafficking is controlled, in compliance with the policies based on the
existing European laws, namely the FRONTEX operations. In furtherance to this, a new
strategy is going to be devised with respect to detention services for Irregular Immigrants.
The Council feels strongly about this proposal as this year’s Council is trying to delve into
the matter by identifying the problem and providing a solution thereto after meeting up with
various stakeholders, NGOs, and other entities. Hence, the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
would like to applaud the government for taking such an initiative into consideration.
Startups
Startups have been blooming within the last few years. In fact, the budget for 2019 has outlined
various aspects which will aid people even more in this regard. In fact, an action plan shall be set
up to help startups flourish in the most effective way possible. Furthermore, there is going to be
the promotion of a seed investment scheme as well as an initiation of an accelerator programme
which shall be in collaboration with an international entity. KSU is delighted to see that students,
who are the future of tomorrow and who wish to venture within the startup scene, are being
encouraged to do so through such proposals.
Concluding Remarks
The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji applauds the Maltese Government for delving into matters that
deserve recognition and importance. The Council urges the government to give due weight to the
student perspective by holding discussions and consultation sessions.