Christian Peregin
Independent schools seek more aid for parents
Government ‘committed’ to the sector
Independent schools are asking the government to consider giving parents vouchers or more tax credits to make private schooling more affordable and ensure schools do not close down.
A report outlining various proposals was prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers and presented to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Education Minister Dolores Cristina by the Independent Schools Association last month.
“We are exploring all possibilities and the government has been very receptive,” association president Bernie Mizzi told The Times.
Although the report will not be made public, she said the association may hold a press conference at a later stage to give an update on the discussions taking place with the government.
A meeting has been scheduled for mid-September to explore all options for the future and ensure that independent schools “thrive not just survive”.
“Obviously there has not been any commitment yet at this stage except to look into every possibility,” she said.
Sources say the report calls for some €17 million worth of vouchers or tax credits to be given over a period of 10 years to parents.
The association’s argument is that since fewer children are being enrolled into private schools and costs are ever on the rise, the losses incurred by schools are too great and they risk having to close down.
They maintain it would be more expensive for the government to absorb the thousands of students into State education than to give vouchers to parents to help them retain their children in private schools.
The independent schools do not want to raise their fees because they are aware the current ones already border on the unaffordable.
When contacted, the Education Ministry pointed out that the government already gives tax credits to parents of students attending independent schools but stressed its commitment to the sector.
“The government is committed to retain the current choice available to parents that exists in this country – state, church and independent schools,” a ministry spokesman said, adding the government was analysing the association’s report.
One of the major issues worrying independent schools is the €20 million Church school investment designed to create more places for students. The government supports Church schools following a 1991 agreement regarding property transfer and this year these schools have been allocated €38.5 million in the Budget – an increase of 16 per cent or €5.5 million over last year.
The association was launched last March to “voice concerns”. It is made up of 14 independent schools which cater for some 7,000 students and includes those that are run as a business as well as others operated as non-profit foundations.
“We do not want direct government assistance because we want to retain our autonomy. But parents must continue to be given the choice of independent schooling,” Ms Mizzi said. The partial tax rebates on offer to parents sending their children to independent schools might need to be enhanced and grants introduced so that private schools do not suffer as a result of the reforms being undertaken by Church schools, she says.
During the launch of the association, Education Minister Dolores Cristina had said she was looking forward to the report which could be the “blueprint” of the government’s strategy in this “strong but vulnerable” sector.
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Joe Farrugia
Aug 20th 2010, 10:38
Dawn bis-serjeta? Lanqas wicchom ma jisthi?
g.portelli
Aug 19th 2010, 13:50
@ Sylvia Portelli
Just to clarify, most independent schools are non profit making organisations.
Re :"the Government is abiding........" The government is going over above its commitment it does so at the expense of state schooling and limiting choice in education. How does this commitment suddenly translate in the total abdication of responsibility for primary schooling to the Church?
With regards to non fee paying students in Church schools, the recent Caritas forum on poverty in Malta had very interesting moments with priests questioning the expansion of church schools and how this would negatively effect children from low income families, essentially that these children could never hope to be included in such schools because in effect they are fee paying schools. What also needs to be factored in is the resultant effect the expansion would have on the already moribund state education, taking into account the migration of students and teachers. What you should be asking is why government persistently avoids participation in the OECD's PISA http://www.pisa.oecd.org assessment an audit that would give us the true facts about schooling in Malta unless you're lulled into thinking Education in Malta is state of the art.
Judith Thomas
Aug 19th 2010, 10:01
Having read all the comments on this topic, I have come to the conclusion that a high percentage of writers are either ignorant of the reality of the actual burden of parents who choose to educate their children privately, or the reason of their choice. Rather than going to the trouble of finding out the answers, they use vitriol and blatant envy against them. 'Snobs, elitist' are words that are used ad nauseam to support their argument (what argument?) It is a FACT that if independent schools were to close down, the taxpayer, including the ones who are screaming 'off with their heads' at the moment, will have to pay a substantial tax increase to cove r the extra intake into State schools.However, I can see that for some, this is preferable to having anyone who might end their scholastic education with a good English diction or pronunciation. Some of us Maltese are still stuck in the era of 'if I can't do it, why should you'
Rachel Williams
Aug 20th 2010, 20:24
My daughter goes to a private school. I meet many parents there for whom schooling is too a huge financial burden. Since it is my choice as my right in a democratic country I do not expect to receive any favours in return. But remember that many parents with kids in state schools receive a lot of more benefits (some not all, illegally) than I do. I work hard and do not expect the state to maintain me or mine and I still pay exorbitant taxes being employed,not self-employed. But I take umbrage at being called a snob. However, better to be called a snob than being a sponger and calling others all names under the sun while preferring to have more money than investing in their kids' education - although this is not the case for everyone, of course.
David Buttigieg
Aug 19th 2010, 10:01
Do all you with a chip on your shoulder know that each child in government costs the tax-payer about 2,400 euros a year?
So the parents of these 7,000 kids in private schools save the tax payer about 16,800,000 a year?
And let's face it, most parent's in government schools hardly pay income tax.
I sacrifice a lot, as do many parents to send my son and daughter to a private school. So I have "a choice" but to me my children's education is my top priority. Most parents of children in private schools do the same, contrary to what obviously seems to be the general perception.
I am far from being a millionaire, but I do save the government/tax payer about 4,800 euros a year through this!
Perhaps it would be interesting to see what would happen if private schools did close and the government had to cater for these additional 7000 pupils - where would the money come from?
Oh yes - more taxes, not to mention an increase in un-employment !
Get that chip of your shoulder - you will live far happier lives!
D Pace
Aug 19th 2010, 08:38
This is silly... I went to a church school, my fiance to an independent school. I cannot say he received a better education AT ALL. If parents have the blessing of enough money to send their children to a private school, good on them. But the government has a tough time as it is making ends meet with current necessary expenses, and has declared they're not cutting taxes due to the recession! Adding this to the list of expenses is absurd. Private schools are casualties of recession the world over. But there are other alternatives in Malta. Church schools receive "donations" from students' parents so they're less of a burden on the government then public schools... If private schools want to remain afloat they should cut overheads and administrative costs to reduce their prices, not ask for indirect government assistance.
VV Bartolo
Aug 18th 2010, 21:15
elaine debono said "Do these same people go to Church on Sundays wishing well to their neighbours? Judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves!!" - you're so blind folded ms debono that you're contradicitng yourself as you happen to be the one judging!!
@ all independent school parents - doing sacrifices & paying sky high fees was your choice in the first place, so now dont "beg for charity". its either you afford or not. i work, i pay taxes like all your households but do not send my children to independent schools as i didnt rush to a decision of sending my children to an independent school as i happened to be wise enough to evaluate my past-future situation before i commit myself to long terms commitments.
so now am sorry but charity begins at home, and my foot i fork out extras from my pocket to accomodate your children. if you no longer afford the school fees, you've got only one solution my friends; MIX YOUR KIDS WITH THE COMMONERS!
C Bajada
Aug 19th 2010, 18:38
Dear Mr Bartolo
We parents who are already paying for our children to go to independent schools are not begging for charity... especially from you!
We already made our workings and are ready to keep on sending our children to the independent schools. The tax credits are welcome and deserved.
Why shouldn't other parents be put in a position to send their children to these schools especially since by doing so a large amount of tax money can be saved and spent on other things.
Why do you and others like you keep on coming up with comments like "COMMONERS" "SNOBS" "ELITISTS" etc is it maybe cause you are envious.
G.Schembri
Aug 18th 2010, 20:51
In three years we have forked out more that 10,000 Euro for our son's post secondary education, he had to study at a private institute since state education does not offer what he wanted. We received no tax credits although maybe he will get something back when he starts working. At least next year he will receive a stipend the first since he will be reading a for a degree.
I cannot see why these parents should be treated better than us, since state education caters for their children. These parents who have the choice of state or church schools and still opt for private schools are being given tax credits, while we ( and others like us) had no choice, and no government support
Antoine Attard
Aug 18th 2010, 19:59
I send my children to private schools. I am subsidising all children who attend public schools.
Moreover, the cost of teaching a child at a private school is cheaper than those attending public schools - economic thoery shows that all activities are more efficiently run when the private sector is operating, due to market forces.
Each school that govt is building is costing us taxpayers substantial amounts too; thus, the private sector is also saving the public sector from capital expenditure.
As regards teachers salaries, if the private sector pays less, we will see a large turnover of teachers seeking jobs at public schools, or vice versa. In my experience at my children's school, I an state that most teachers have been present at the school for years.
If less students are enrolling at private schools, a loss, or less profit will materialise, and the private sector requires a decent profit, otherwise the entrepreneur will seek other sectors within the economy within which to operate.
HAving said the above, I appreciate that people may have other views; however, I turn back to economic theory; if market forces do not work [schools shut down], govt is obliged to intervene.
MBorg
Aug 18th 2010, 17:21
@ A Cassar
There is nothing selfish or childish in what I wrote. However you are free not to agree with me.
If these schools save the Governmnet money because " the more children go to independent schools the less Gov has to fork out " can be said of Private Health Insurance. We save the Government money every time we go to a private hospital
I do not know if you are aware of the very ,very high rates we have to pay every year.
There is nothing selfish or childish in saying that the Government should give us some Tax Credits not increase , please note I did not say stop, it already gives these parents.
Elaine Debono
Aug 18th 2010, 16:38
First and foremost I must admit I am utterly disgusted at the way some people point their fingers in a general, sweeping way at parents of children in private schools as being 'snobs' and 'elitist'. Do these same people go to Church on Sundays wishing well to their neighbours? Judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves!!
Secondly, do these people realise that (most) parents of children in private school pay their due taxes, just like (most) Maltese citizens and in doing so are funding the state education of someone else's child, besides paying for their own offspring's education?
Thirdly, if these people who accuse others of being 'snobs' or elitist' actually read the article well enough (and can comprehend it) they would realise that what is being proposed is actually a system to make private schools more accessible to more segments of the population (in simple words, the 'commoner' will be able to afford private schooling too).
Jennifer Cachia
Aug 18th 2010, 18:43
Elaine Debono all people have their choice of sending their children to the government public schools, the Church schools and the private schools. All people pay taxes so no Ms Debono, you are not subsidizing us parents who send their children to government schools because we also pay our taxes. If you want to send your children to private schools then do so but do not expect us to pay part of your fees.
andrew calleja
Aug 18th 2010, 21:33
Jennifer.
They are not asking for payments from the government - they are asking for TAX credits! I think it is very fair for these parents to have taxes reduced. They are saving the government thousands of €s a year for a mere €200 or €300 in tax rebates.
Everyone knows that private entities work more efficiently so the cost per child at a private school is much less than one in a state school. the government should do the same thing with Health Insurance and Private Pensions.
I think the main issue here is that people arguing against have a chip on their shoulder against the so called 'elitist'. What utter rubbish.
The government should stop building new schools if birth rates are declining and spend that money elsewhere...
Elaine Debono
Aug 19th 2010, 08:56
Jennifer Cachia, you missed the argument totally ... some parents would like to send their children to private schools but cannot afford it.
The whole point is that there is a proposal to make the private schools more accessible to all i.e. accessibility to parents who would like to send their children to private school but right now cannot afford to do so. This proposal could help to further alleviate the government expenses in education, since more parents might be inclined to send their children to private schools, reducing the public tax load.
You and I pay high taxes to subsidise a good number of people who do not deserve to be subsidised, for example those who register for work even though they then work behind the books.
Following your arguments, if your road needs resurfacing and I do not use it, I should not pay taxes to resurface your road. If you smoke and I don't I should not pay taxes for your healthcare. If you need housing help and I don't I should not pay taxes to subsidise your government-funded house which you can then sell at a profit.
I rest my case.
CZARB
Aug 19th 2010, 09:48
So lets make a resume Ms Cachia. Its ok for parents who have children in private schools to pay for those who have children in public schools but its not ok for parents who children in public schools to pay also for children who are in private schools? What flawed argument is this? I dont have children in private schools but the present system is unfair to say the least. It punishes those who value their children's education enough to put their money in their pockets even though these guys probably pay more taxes in a year then many other parents do in a lifetime. No wonder why many people tend to evade taxes in this country.
maxine borg
Aug 19th 2010, 14:05
the whole point of sending my kids to a private school was because not all people afford it. I looked at the school as a more accountable means of educating my children since it is a service being given to me not the state granting a favour.
it is a fact that english in most private schools is thought and practised better whilst at the same time it is an advantage to have a private school in your resumee when applying for a job. if a private school will give my kids a social advantage+ good education then so be it.
life is not fair and thats reality.
E Gatt
Aug 18th 2010, 16:14
@Lynn Zahra and her comrades
Everyone has a right to a formal education – whether it is paid for by the taxpayers or directly by the parents themselves.
We live in a free country, where individuals have the freedom to choose and spend their money on what they deem fit – including their children’s education. Some people who have a chip on their shoulder, do not appreciate our freedom and sacrifices. They feel it is their right to insult others and tell them how to run their lives.
Independent schools are going through a rough time financially, mainly due to the lower birth rate, and the massive government investment in state supported (government and church) schools. Why do you have to gloat over the problems being faced by independent schools?
Peter Dalli
Aug 18th 2010, 18:40
E Gatt no one is telling you not to send your children to private schools Mr Gatt, but if they are passing through a bad time its not our fault so do not expect to subsidize you. If they cannot compete they close down.
Charlene Amato
Aug 18th 2010, 18:46
So E Gatt, do you expect us to continue subsidizing your private schools if your fees continue to go up because birth rate continues to go down and fees continue going up? How much Gatt? What if private schools fees go up to €10,000, €20,000? No way Gatt. We do not pay taxes top pay for elitists to send their children to private schools. If you cannot keep up with the fees then send your children to government schools.
E Gatt
Aug 18th 2010, 19:48
When did I ever say that I am in favour of subsidies?
In an ideal world all schools should be private and pay for their own children's education. In this ideal world, people would pay then pay less taxes and have more control over their own resources.
Imagine the strain on the government resources, if all the thousands of 'snobs' and 'elitists' (sic) had to opt out of independent schooling and join government schools.
It is a fact that not everyone can pay private school fees and this is why the government taxes people to fund government (and to a certain extent) church schools. As a taxpayer I do not begrudge my taxes going towards state education as I believe it is my civic duty to pay my dues.
What I find disturbing is reading comments which are full of spite, hatred and envy.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Aug 18th 2010, 22:14
Ms Amato and Mr Dalli - So you think it's ok for the state to subsidize the Church schools and not the independent ones. What am I missing here? With your reasoning, the state should only subsidize it's own schools full stop. Or is there a general feeling of envy here, because many simply cannot afford private education for their children?
chris bajada
Aug 18th 2010, 15:50
I am a parent who sends my child to an independent school, and would like to say that
1. Many of us parents are sending our children to private schools not because we are snobs but because we are investing in our childrens education. It is for many of us a big financial burden but a sacrifice we are willing to make.
2. By encouraging more people to send their children to private schools the goverment is saving money because when a child is sent to a state school the goverment is paying for the full amount of that childs education therefore it is in everyones interest that the govt should encourage and make private schools more affordable to everyone.
3. Many independent schools are parents foundations that do not work for a profit, all their income goes to pay for expenses.
MBorg
Aug 18th 2010, 15:21
Why should we tax payers help independent schools ? We all know that the fees you charge are too high. Why should you ask for more tax credits for parents ?
If parents cannot pay the fees you are asking put fees down or close. We have been asking for tax credits for Health Insurance but the Government never gave us any. Why should it now increase the tax credits it gives to your students parents?
A Cassar
Aug 18th 2010, 16:40
"Why should we tax payers help independent schools ?"
The answer to your question is very simple....because the government SAVES MONEY. It is a win-win situation. The more children go to independent schools the less money the gov has to fork out. It costs the government much less to give tax credits than to school children in government or church school!!!
Your comment " We have been asking for tax credits for Health Insurance but the Government never gave us any." is UNBELIEVABLE!!! So, rightly so...because it follows the same argument as above, you want a tax break for your health insurance, and because the government does not want you don't want any tax breaks for schools. What utter selfishness!!!! How childish!!!!
Paul Muscat
Aug 18th 2010, 18:34
A Cassar we do not want our taxes squandered on the private schools. The schools should have made a cost-benefit analysis as every decent businessman or businesswoman would do before embarking on any business venture. They didn't as clearly appears from what they are now demanding. If the government gives them one single euro cent or increases the tax rebate for the parents sending their children to private schools it can forget any of our families votes. This also applies to the PL if it supports these private schools demands because remember that all families in Malta are politically mixed. The tax rebate should also be removed. If you want to send your children to a private school then do so but don't ask us to subsidize you.
m farrugia
Aug 18th 2010, 15:04
i do not think that should independent schools close, Malta and Malta's children will really suffer, they surely have alternatives which are just as good. It's their snobbish and greedy owners who will suffer. What do these owners expect - the govt and the church to refrain from investing in church and govt schools so that they will not suffer?
Whilst govt keeps investing in govt schools, which are so convenient and normally a stone's throw away in all villages, some refuse to send children to these schools because of a lot of misconceptions, not making use of their taxes and forking out extra thousands.
P.Pulis
Aug 18th 2010, 13:07
In the case of mainsteam education, parents at least have a choice to choose between State, Church or Private schools. State education is free.
Parents of students with disabilities who finished Secondary schools, have only one choice, offered by Inspire. This is against a 'contribution'.
It is worth reminding that there is even a scheme to provide tax refunds for parents who send their children to a recognised (KMS registered) sports club
Are disabled children, children of a lesser god?
Joanne Micallef
Aug 18th 2010, 13:05
Apart from the fact that most of the parents that send their children to a private school do so not because they are/feel elite, but do so because rightly so they have no faith in Goverment schools, and would rather invest in their children’s' education than spend the money on something else.
Having said that, as a parent who does send her children to a private school I am more than happy with the present tax rebate system, I certainly don’t expect my Nation to fork out for our family’s personal decision.
Sonia Zammit
Aug 18th 2010, 18:28
Joanne Micallef if people are not happy with government schools then they should fight for them to be fixed not send their children to private schools.
VV Bartolo
Aug 18th 2010, 12:52
@ ms lynn zahra
VERY WELL SAID
"Subside the snobs who turn down their nose at the thought of their children mixing with those of "commoners"
ABORG
Aug 18th 2010, 12:36
Sources say the report calls for some €17 million worth of vouchers or tax credits to be given over a period of 10 years to parents.
you should be joking ....independent schools are merely business in the educations system so they should have made their financial projections beforehand to assess their viability....what next??? companies coming along so they would not close down...???
g.portelli
Aug 18th 2010, 12:28
" Ronald Mifsud
What the tax payer is subsidising above all is the running and expansion of Church schools at the expense of State schools and independent schooling. The choice for parents' has been limited to one type of education - a Church school education. This is not only restrictive but also an unfair situation. Church schools not only get a government subsidy they also collect fees because you cannot call that donation anything else but a fee. What the proposed Church school expansion will mean is that children coming from low income families will definitely not be able to attend because ultimately a church school is still a fee paying school. How this furthers Social Justice is beyond anyone's comprehension. What is very clear is that the government has abdicated responsibility for education to the Church and totally sidelined secular schooling. Ultimately it is state school education that will be the overall loser. The government's only commitment as amply demonstrated by its actions is towards Church schools.The. Hon Minister should stop equivocating, her actions speak louder than puerile words.
Sylvia Sammut
Aug 18th 2010, 18:26
g.portelli you are very wrong in your reasoning. As someone else had commented, the Government is abiding with its commitment and the subsidies that it pays the Church schools is in compensation for the Church property that was handed over to the government. With respect to donations, do you know how many families do not contribute anything because they are not in a good financial position and the Church does not charge them anything?
As regards choice you have the choice of either sending your children to the Government schools, the Church schools or the private schools.If you choose to send them to private schools then you pay for them and don't expect so to subsidize you. Private schools are commercial operations, are there for profit and no one would expect us or the government to subsidize commercial enterprises. If you can't afford it then don't send them to private schools.
Robert Callus
Aug 18th 2010, 12:24
“We do not want direct government assistance because we want to retain our autonomy. But parents must continue to be given the choice of independent schooling,” Ms Mizzi said.
You want to have the cake and eat it in other words. The aim of these schools is one - PROFIT. The govt should never fork out public money for a corporation neither directly not indirectly, as Ms Mizzi is suggesting.
Some people are criticizing the parents. I think that's wrong. The greed and arrogance is coming from the schools not the parents.
ASpiteri
Aug 18th 2010, 12:18
we need to set up a truly independent Taxpayer Alliance!
there are groups and associations for everyone, from gays to employers and from immigrants to employees and not one single front that stand up for the taxpayers' rights!
http://www.google.com.mt/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=taxpayer+alliance&meta=&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
E Gatt
Aug 18th 2010, 11:51
Although independent schools are facing financial problems, they should resist government assistance as much as possible. They should do this to retain their independence and ensure that they are not indebted to the government. Accepting more assistance will mean that the independent schools will have to accept further government interference and price controls.
The birth rate is falling and the pool of new potential students in independent schools is consequently shrinking. The ‘competition’ from government and church schools is also increasing as the € millions being pumped into these institutions are offering a better service.
Fewer students per class means higher fees. Perhaps one way of reducing costs and ensuring survival is to consider mergers between independent schools.
Peter Cassar
Aug 18th 2010, 13:54
We joined the EU which is a free market economy. In a free market economy there are no subsidies. So stop asking for subsidies. If you cannot compete you have to close down. You cannot have people subsidizing you.
Nathan Diaz
Aug 20th 2010, 12:42
How is it a free market economy with the government subsidizing church schools? And who would want to send their kids to government schools? Might as well not send them to school at all given that government schools are only good for keeping kids off the street
M.Debono
Aug 18th 2010, 11:45
It's funny watching some parents collect their kids from school in the latest fancy 4 wheel drive cars wearing gold from head to to toe,...yet investing in their kid's education seems out of the question to them.....laqwa b'xejn.
Lynn Zahra
Aug 18th 2010, 11:21
Subside the snobs who turn down their nose at the thought of their children mixing with those of "commoners|" ? Whatever next?
When will the Minister tackle the problem of the lack of facilitators which are badly needed in all Maltese schools?
If I were the Minister I would take the bull by the horns and tackle the real problems that exist in the Maltese Educational system.
I would ensure that money be spent to train teachers to teach children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties . At present the shortages makes one cry with frustration.
These children have a right to an eduction as much as those with parents who feel they are better than others and don't want their children to mingle with those of "commoners".
Spend people's taxes on giving More children a chance to learn . It's their right. I see it as a downright shame to expect the State to squander the people's money on satisfying the needs of the elite .
Joan Pulis
Aug 18th 2010, 13:56
Lynn Zahra well said Lynn. Those snobs who do not want their children to mix with the rest of the "common" children should pay for their education and stop trying to get subsidies from the parents of the "common" children.
robert micallef
Aug 18th 2010, 16:41
Dear MS Zahra
seeing it from another angle it could be that we the ones who send our children to private schools pay so much more taxes then you that we are paying for your children to learn free of charge in goverment schools. :)
also if we would close down the private schools your kids would suffer as the goverment schools would be overcrowded.
i send my kids to private schools and as long as they are happy then i am happy. the main reason i send them there is because i want them to speak good english. When my kids meet other kids of their age who go to state school i notice that they do not speak English at all.
Stanley Caruana
Aug 18th 2010, 18:18
robert micallef and they end up speaking neither good English nor good Maltese but a mixture of the two. If you are happy to send them to a private school no one is denying you your right, but then do not come cringing like the private schools are doing for support from the rest of us.
robert micallef
Aug 18th 2010, 18:41
Dear Stanley
you should encourage more people to send their kids to private school as you should encourage more people to go to private hospitals.
the more they do the more they save you in taxes. by going to private hospital one leaves a free bed in Mater dei. the same is for schools.
as for tax credits this has already been going on for years now.
regarding English well i have to disagree with you. i have many friends and employees who came from private or state schools and i can always guess where one went to school.
John Gatt
Aug 18th 2010, 22:07
Dear robert micallef, what you are proposing is the capitalist system where those who can afford can have all and those who cannot will not have anything because once things are privatized then government services will be curtailed so much that only very essential services will be available if at all. Furthermore, those who like you seem so much in favour of private enterprises will complain for more tax reduction as you are presently doing because you will be using private enterprises and not government services with the result of further reduction in government services. It would be better if you were to tell the readers your real interest in your stance in favour of the private schools dear robert micallef.
ronald mifsud
Aug 18th 2010, 11:21
So the tax payers must not only subsidie, single mothers, drug addicts, unemployed (most of them do not want to work because it is far better to live on dole than to break your back on work!), the psuedo sick sucking free medices and an infinite list of other suckers! Now we have to finance the rich and subsides their schools!! Stop this waste!!
C. Woods
Aug 18th 2010, 13:06
Well said Ms Zahra!!!
What most people do not know, is that there is a tendency among many of these private schools, that if a child has learning disbilities, it is very likely that he or she (the child) will not be admitted to the shcool, or else the child will be given a real hard time or else the child is chucked out!!! Speak to parents who have been through it or to any professional carer (Psyhcologists, Speech Therapists etc) !! These schools are more interested in competing with similar schools making sure to keep their ranks high, they have no leniency towards these children....such children are seen as a hindereance for them. Many of these schools have no concept of inclusion yet!!! See, they are more likely to cater for Neurotypical children ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul Cirillo
Aug 18th 2010, 11:17
My son finished attending an independent school some 5 years ago. Todate I am still waiting to get back my refundable contribution which amount sto € 2090.
According to conditions imposed on us by the school's foundation on apllication, refunds are only issued after the school finished paying for their loans and then a refunding programme is set in place. This has not yet materialized.
From what I read in your write up that independent school are rrunning great losses, it seems that I will never be able to get my money back during my lifetime.
No wonder that attendance in independent schools is decreasing !!!
Paul Debattista
Aug 18th 2010, 13:59
Paul Cirillo no one obliged you to send your son to a private school. You could have sent him to a government school like most of us do. You choose to do so so you pay for it.
albert leone ganado
Aug 18th 2010, 10:52
No wonder we spend so much money on education in Malta and yet the quality results are short in forthcoming. A clear school rationalisation and restructuring exercise is urgently called for and it is time the education authorities step in.
While government is rightfully spending more money on improvement of state schools we note that the independent school places have mushroomed and the church schools are in the process of increasing substantially school places
The state it seems is to fund these extra church school places and now the independent schools are claiming rebates because church school expansion will encroach into their market. All this in the context that demographics show the school population is shrinking rapidly.
Private is private and if parents do not want to accept free state school available places they then should not expect the taxpayer to fork out for their child's private education.
We are in danger of creating a three tier totally unfair education system wholly paid by the taxpayer based not on educational considerations but on socio snobbery segregation.
In this context it is also time that the church schools are absorbed in our state school system.
J Fenech
Aug 18th 2010, 10:46
Good proposal; after all, such parents are doing their bit in helping to take some burden off the state and as such deserve some kind of incentive. Better than blowing millions in stipends! How about a similar incentive to health insurance policyholders?
Jeffrey Spiiteri
Aug 18th 2010, 14:01
J Fenech they are not helping anything. They are only snobs who do not want their children to mix with the lower class children, so they should put their money where their mouth is and PAY themselves.
J Fenech
Aug 18th 2010, 16:26
The state should encourage more and more parents to send children to private schools; it is saving taxpayers money at the end of the day. Reward those who work hard and make sacrifices for the best interests of their children, why not?
Jeffrey Spiteri
Aug 18th 2010, 18:15
J Fenech Why should the State encourage parents to send their children to private schools when it is offering the same service? Have you heard of anyone in the world who encourages others to go to his competitors? As Mr Peter Cassar wrote if the private schools cannot keep up with their competitors they should shut down not turn on the poor taxpayer to subsidize them. That is what happens in a free market economy. Remember we are in the EU with a free market economy. Perhaps you even voted for it, so now enjoy it.
m mifsud
Aug 18th 2010, 19:28
@ J SPITERI
so you think i am a snob cos i send my 2 kids to independent private schools? have you ever bothered to count the population of these school s - they run into thousands. so jut do some maths and costs run into millions, which we are saving the state to fund yr kids schooling.!
so was it ok to subsidise MDD & MSB plus the other multitude of failing parastatal cos from yr salary? but its not ok if the government gives a tax incentive on the fees we pay. by the time my son finishes school at St.Eds i would have payed approx EUR49,500, plus my other at chiswich, approx the same - in total a hefty EUR100,000. you shld thank the sacrifice of us parents who chose to go private and saved the goverment MILLIONS.
Lisa Bonnici
Aug 19th 2010, 09:29
You are joking right? So basically you are telling me that the government would rather pay for a child to attend a state school for a year rather than a tax deduction given to parents who send their children to independent schools of Eur 500-700? So you actually think that it costs the government less than Eur500-700 to educate a person at a state school for a year? Yes of course the government wants people to send their children to independent schools, it takes the burden off the government! It's not about competition. As if the government wants to fork out more money! Seriously.. think about it for a second..
G Psaila
Aug 18th 2010, 10:46
There are cases when parents cannot afford private education any longer, but persist so as not to create a disturbance in their children's lives by changing school (let's say midway between junior or senior school). It's a shame that the schools keep on increasing the fees even when they notice that parents are struggling for the sake of safeguarding the same school environment for their children who have got used to their school.
AManda Catania
Aug 18th 2010, 14:05
Not change schools because of a disturbance to their children G Psaila? No Psaila, the only disturbance is that they tried to keep up with the next door neighbours and when they find they cannot keep up they try to put their burden on the rest of the people's shoulders because they still want to be seen as being able to keep up. Reminds me of the TV programme "Keeping up appearances" and Mrs Bucket who wanted people to call her Mrs Bouquet.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Aug 18th 2010, 21:55
Ms Catania - Same goes for the church schools doesn't it?
patrick zammit
Aug 18th 2010, 10:38
Why should the taxpayer be asked to subsidise those parents who want to spend an exorbitant amount on education?
Ramon Casha
Aug 18th 2010, 10:33
"Although the report will not be made public..."
And yet they want public funding.
There is absolutely no justification for funding commercial ventures such as these through our taxes - and the same goes for church schools.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Aug 18th 2010, 10:22
Tassew interessanti. Fil-GB l-iskejjel privati huma obbligati jedukaw b'xejn percentwali ta' tfal svantaggati. Malti jridu jaghmlu bil-maqlub
J Fenech
Aug 18th 2010, 10:48
why do we have to mention GB in almost everything? look at the state of (formerly)'Great' Britain now; pre-teens even murdering passers by! and that must say something about the excellent educational system.
VV Bartolo
Aug 18th 2010, 09:53
haha how greedy! we work overtime and pay taxes so independent childrens' parents can get beneficiaries!
put down yr school fees, your overheads & your high salaries and am sure more parents will consider sending their children over!
am sorry but you cant have the cake and eat it!
M.Camilleri
Aug 18th 2010, 09:50
Why don't they offer a better service, improve on the quality and lower their exorbitant fees?