The problem of student apathy at University

Ever since the 'censorship' saga began, the University of Malta started getting the attention it deserves.

This attention was misplaced, but it was recognition nonetheless. Then, there was the annual KSU general meeting and the election which followed, both covered by newspapers, TV and radio. Again, the media projected the University as some kind of partisan battleground.

I am not going to delve into the censorship debate, as I believe enough has been said on this. Instead, I will comment on this year's KSU election 'failures'. Since Pulse, the main opponent of Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM), decided not to contest the elections, it became apparent to many that even if there was to be an election, it was going to be just a formality.

Many had indeed predicted a low turnout, even lower than the actual figure. In the end, 1,836 students voted out of a total student population of roughly 13,000, which is about 15 per cent.

To put things in perspective, last year's turnout was around 2,800, or almost 22 per cent of the student population. This is very low by national election standards, but compare well with the low turnouts for European Parliament elections in countries like Slovakia (17 per cent) and Poland (21 per cent).

Those saying that this year's KSU elections are not valid because of the low turnout should look at the turnout other countries.

European and State matters are becoming increasingly decided on turnouts of less than a fifth of the population. That's just the way it is.

This does not make elections invalid in any way.

Having said that, the University Students' Council (KSU) should make higher voter turnout one of its top priorities. Simply amending the electoral system is not the only solution. The problem of University apathy goes much deeper.

Changing the electoral system will not bring about a higher turnout or suddenly get University students more involved in campus affairs.

It is not only in elections that apathy dominates. It can sadly be seen in many of the work done by student organisations, in the countless debates and events held in University and in the general lack of 'campus life' of Maltese students.

How can this be tackled? One way is to further build on the new 'degree-plus' system; the promotion of student organisations and their valid work, and make sure that the University in general gets more media coverage.

In short, we have to stop treating the University like a school, and its students like schoolchildren.