The budget allocated to the Junior College over the past three years did not even cover the salaries of academic and non-academic staff, the principal Godfrey Muscat said.

Speaking to parents whose children joined the college this year, Mr Muscat said the college had a direct vote in the budget, which was administered by the University.

The university was having to make good for the shortfall of about Lm200,000 each year to pay for salaries, but the college had to hold back from doing other things, he said.

"It goes without saying that once we do not have enough to pay the wages, we do not have any money for recurrent and capital expenditure or the realisation of various projects."

Contacted yesterday, Mr Muscat said that although the number of students at the Junior College and University had increased, there was not a corresponding increase in the budget for these institutions.

"This year, we have 250 students more than last year. We now have close to 3,000 students.

"Our estimates show that for next year we need Lm2.4 million. We will just about make it with that amount," he said.

Mr Muscat said representations about the matter were made to the university's finance office last April.

"It is the finance office that makes our projections. We have plans to extend the buildings and need funds for capital expenditure," he said.

Mr Muscat said he felt the need to inform parents about the problems, and they were furious.

"But I felt that they should know the situation. It is good to think about tomorrow's schools, as the government is doing, but we have to think of today's schools as well," Mr Muscat said.

Contacted for his reactions, Education Minister Louis Galea said:

"As the Junior College forms part of the University, one has to look at that budget as a whole. The government gives the University, Junior College and MCAST a very high priority among the other priorities that exist," he said.