Monday, 5th January 2009 - 20:54CET

National Youth Council calls on university students to support KSU

The National Youth Council (KNZ) is urging all university students to sign the University Students’ Council petition “Our education is not a bargaining tool” to show their disapproval at directives given to lecturers aimed at halting examinations.

The government and unions representing lecturers are currently in dispute over lecturers' pay.

The KNZ also urged students to join in the university rally, being held at the Quadrangle on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

It appealed to the government and the University of Malta Academic Staff Association to discuss and find a solution to the issue.

It condemned the fact that there had been no negotiations since December 1. This was in no one’s interest. And although the action taken by lecturers was disproportionate, the government’s delay was not ideal, it said.

The petition can be found at www.ksu.org.mt.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

carmen caruana (on 6/1/09)

It would be better if the students go rally with the lecturers. The government will have more pressure, we as students will be stronger not rallying alone for 2hrs under the rain and the ksu will gain some support finally.
I'm sorry but with this decision taken by the ksu I will stay at home studying!!

mborg (on 6/1/09)

well said L.Cassar!

Ksu should send students to the library instead of wasting time rallying!

L.Cassar (on 6/1/09)

If our education is not a bargaining tool then why are WE students suspending 2 hours of lectures and wasting time rallying??

Being a student myself, I am very concerned about the situation right now but I think we should stick up with our lecturers and get things back to normal asap!!

MBorg (on 6/1/09)

well said J.Borg. I agree 100% with you!

KSU are always on the defensive side of the government! shame on them.

G. Fenech (on 6/1/09)

Well done KNZ...let's move beyond partisan politics and show that today's generation knows how to show that their rights are no bargaining tool!

M. Saliba (on 5/1/09)

I know lecturers that left when I was an IT student because they were really underpaid. They wanted to pursue a teaching career but they could not say no to the offers of the industrial world because it would have been ridiculous not to be well rewarded for all their studies and research. I have been taught by the same of the members of UMASA. One of them in particular who was my tutor in recent years used to remain in office even till six in the evening and students never cease to knock at his door to discuss problems with him. You cannot say that because there are careless lecturers all lecturers don't deserve a better wage. Probably if there was a better attractive package most of the careless incompetent lecturers that there are today would not have been there in the first place. If salaries remain mediocre as they are university will only tend to attract only habba gozz people for lecturing posts...and if this happens students should not complain.

J.Borg (on 5/1/09)

@Matthew Agius
You are correct when you state: GIVE US OUR RIGHT TO EDUCATION BACK!

To get your education back, you need lecturers correct? You need motivated lecturers correct? I'm afraid with Government's "take it or leave" approach, lecturers are indeed demotivated. Can you really get your education back with lecturers waiting 5 years for an improved Collective Agreement? Are you sure you will get your education back with this approach? You are very righ when you state....'the current situation is unacceptable'....definitely from the perspective of academics who have been patiently delivery their work for the last 5 years with an expired Collective Agreement !

@KNZ
Can you please give concrete reasons for claiming "the action taken by lecturers was disproportionate"? I actually think that after patiently waiting for 5 solid years for a new and improved Collective Agreement, UMASA & MUT are not being disproportionate at all !!! KNZ, please be fair & smart in your statements.

Matthew Agius (on 5/1/09)

Thumbs up KNZ for the support!

To both parties - the current situation is unacceptable - - - GIVE US OUR RIGHT TO EDUCATION BACK!

A.Camilleri (on 5/1/09)

so now they admitted it is agaisnt the UNION!!??? " to show their disapproval at directives given to lecturers aimed at halting examinations " . One flop after the other. Let those who are blue eyed go. Were on earth do students go agaisnt the lecturers and not against the government who does not want to meet the Unions? Unbelievable, now it is more than clear that this rally is aimed to damage the Unions instead of pressurizing the government to take action.

thanks but i will not attend KSU/PN propaganda rallies!

C Sammut (on 5/1/09)

This is a breathe of fresh air from youth organisations that are finally joining forces to support a good cause!

National Youth Council calls on university students to support KSU

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