University urges government and unions to resolve issue
The university's administration warned this afternoon that if the current impasse between unions and the government persisted, "the normal running of the university will be seriously jeopardised".
The government and unions representing lecturers are currently in dispute over increases to lecturers' pay.
In a statement, the university's administration said that it has been urging the unions of academic staff and the government to meet with an eye to resolving all outstanding issues since the current situation was unacceptable and a solution had to be found soon.
"The university administration appeals to the government and the unions to meet with urgency for the good of the institution and the country.
"The university administration will continue to maintain close contact with KSU to strive to manage the difficult situation that will develop in the coming days and weeks," it said.
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Sandro Borg
Jan 5th 2009, 02:09
@ McGuire...
The government is earning much more than he's forking out through stipends... Most of the graduates pay their stipends back in the first couple of years through taxes. Getting more students to graduate equates to getting more workers to pay much higher yearly taxes. So in an average of nine years time (2 years in college, 4 in university and 3 at work) the government would have made a profit.
So the stipend money is well invested; the government-lecturers issue discussed in this article is a completely different matter.
C. Car
Jan 3rd 2009, 23:13
@ McGuire...
i don't know who fooled you to believe that other european countries don't have special grants for students in the form of stipend. Germany for example is a perfect example.
Let us not jeopardise the future of this country by some sweeping statement like that.
I believe that what the lecturers are currently earning is more than sufficient for such a small economy like Malta. This would probably produce a domino effect whereby everyone would start asking for a pay rise during such an economic crisis, which will not help the balance of the budget much.
Students should not be the lecturers scapegoats!
Marion Pace
Jan 3rd 2009, 23:01
I agree with Dr. Sant-Cassia because it is happening already with the faculty of Science lecurers the best and most ambitious are already leaving especially the young ones. The Ministers have already had lump increase, why not the lecturers? Investing in them is an investment in the education of our children.
John McGuire
Jan 3rd 2009, 22:02
my suggestions were not meant to be political ..i think that better resources will only benefit the student and will ensure that all the money of stipends are directed towards that... my point was solely to highlight how a switch of resources will be beneficial in this case...
by using part of that money to increase the pay of the lecturers ...after all if they are not satisfied (within limits) it is only the student who will suffer which is what is happening at the moment..
i am sure it won't be a popular decision but if students genuinely see the money going on books etc which is what the stipend is meant to be for i am sure they will understand...as with most universities this is the way it goes... furthermore better resources could also minimize the pressure/reliance on lecturers and as Dr Sant-Cassia well highlighted the university also has to work to remain competitive so ultimately the student has a degree which is internationally competitive and will help him earn a decent salary…
R.Gauci
Jan 3rd 2009, 20:47
Do you blame some one for asking an increase in his wage after what amount the Goverment Ministers and Parlamentary secretaries pay increase got in the last budget for 2009? or just the common mortals should get the 4 euros per week ,close their mouth and be happy?
D.Pace
Jan 3rd 2009, 20:36
Why should we students side with our teachers when they are the ones who are putting our education on the line! and really, KSU is NOT supporting anyone. its is stricktly against using students a a means of gain. I seriously do not see any partisian politics in that....
Dr Paul Sant-Cassia
Jan 3rd 2009, 20:03
Mr McGuire is partly right. Malta is practically the only western country that gives stipends which are not means-tested. Most middle-class parents in the UK where I teach pay for their childrens' education who will as a result expect to earn more in their total working lives. That is one issue. Another is that unless the university is competitive internationally (including through salaries and research facilities) it cannot expect to retain staff or attract them. Something like this is happening with Maltese doctors many of whom migrate because of poor career prospects (although doctors are much more able to complement their income privately than university researchers). Standards aren't that high in Malta; plagiarism is rife, etc, but some students are very able and a pleasure to teach when enthusiastic. Some lecturers are excellent and dedicated, others skive - so some reform is needed. But lecturers salaries have to be internationally competitive - as is also the case for the students who will search out employment on graduation. The best and most ambitious will leave.Envy or schadenfreude of lecturers salaries will only result in their loss to the country for they will go abroad.
Muscat.Pat
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:57
As an ex -student I would like to thank all teachers who gave their best during lessons. If the government finds enough money for the blue eyed boys who ride its gravy train, why all this teatrini for claims that have been going on since 2007?. As for the student's KSU, why are you not siding with the teachers? Shame on those who put partisan politics above everything else!
mario borg
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:44
@McGuire
Fully agree with your point, resources should be allocated and this is a matter of resources.
Some courses at University do allow ample time for students to find a part time job.
The government should promote and increase the salaries of those lecturers who give their best and get rid of and replace those who are there just to earn another salary.
This should be done not only at university but across all public sector.
J. Borg
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:35
Where is our Prime Minister....whe is he going to come out and call everyone concerned to sit round a table and trash out what hassling this agreement.
J. Borg
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:33
HA HA HA
Here we go again....the new year 2009 started and the usual PN bloggers come out and criticise everything thePL does.
Grow up people, discussion is to be made in parlament and there the opposition is to be prepared and offer counter proposals were needed so as to have a proper rent law.
Grow up people with small minds.
Adrian Borg
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:23
Dear Mr John Mcquire ... the stipends are not paid up by the University of Malta but by the Govt.
If students don't get their stipend, there will be much more burden on the Maltese family because mummy and daddy will have to fork out most for most of the students' expenses.
J Axiaq
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:18
@McGuire
I dont know how come you are not in parlament!! PN was elected because of the huge support and VOTES he got from university students! I dont see why he would cut the stipends after all we were promised that they were going to stay as they were. Dont try to include university students anymore on these issues!! Its an issue between government and lecturers!!
N.Grima
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:12
They may be exorbitant relative to their present pays, but in absolute terms the pays they are asking for a far from crazy. Who says that once underpaid always underpaid?
John McGuire
Jan 3rd 2009, 19:01
What I would do is cut the stipends out where malta is one of the only universities i know that does this and use them to improve resources such as the library etc..using this money i will also pay the lecturers a bit more..after all if they are not happy everyone will suffer...
F Cassar
Jan 3rd 2009, 18:41
The lecturers are asking for exorbiant pay increases.
If Government gives in then all professionals and anyone else would be justified in asking for the same conditions
Il-Hasra hi li fin-nofs hemm studenti li qeghdin ibaghtu ghax hemm min ghazel (il-lecturers) li juzaw lil istudenti biex jiehdu dak li jridu