Do all students really need a stipend?

Wayne Magri, European Studies, second year.

Let’s be honest, no one wants to give up their stipend for any reason. It is more cash in our pockets. Everyone likes that extra €83 a month. Who wouldn’t?

I certainly do appreciate my stipend every month. It helps me sort out things and cover expenses I couldn’t otherwise cope with, especially with the few hours of extra work I do to make ends meet.

Secondly, I sincerely do try to spend my stipend wisely. The stipend is really important to me, and I wouldn’t give it up. I do not mean to be egoistic; what I’m trying to point out is that there are some students, like me, who really depend on their stipend and it’s really helping them sustain their studies.

However, there are cases where students do not need their stipends and this money ends up being used unwisely.

I appreciate the amount of money the government gives me every month. I hate seeing people grumble about the fact that the stipend is too low, and that they want a raise. In most other countries, students not only do not have stipend, but have to pay education fees.

Claudio Caruana, Doctor of Laws, first year.

Sooner or later, the question of luxury versus necessity will rise to haunt students. I can envisage a time when the government will be pressured into rethinking all subsidies, grants and allowances, whether public or private, in a cost-cutting exercise.

The student stipend will inevitably be subject to a lot of political debate and controversy and will become limited to a smaller number of students who deem such financial support indispensable in order to pursue their dreams.

My opinion is that the government is being too generous with the children of the rich and the affluent, and has possibly not put an end to such allowances for fear of losing votes.

Personally, I am willing to be subject to a means test and give up my stipend in order to aid those who really can’t do without it, if need be. I believe this remedy can avoid drastic measures from being taken, which will kill the hopes of the less financially fortunate.

I believe it will also bring about more equality among students. Rich parents should still be grateful for the free-for-all education policy in Malta.

Martin Calleja-Urry, B. Communications (Hons) and Psychology, third year.

Without hesitation, I would definitely be willing to give up my stipend if I knew it were being given to somebody who really needed it.

I am lucky enough to be supported financially by my family, and walking to University makes my stipend somewhat extra.

While I do occasionally use it for educational purposes, my smart card covers the costs of photocopies, textbooks, stationery and so on.

There are people like me who are well-equipped to support themselves, but generalising is narrow-minded and unfair to others.

I know of certain students who struggle to cope with the costs of their education, no matter how much money is provided.

The government uses the money as an incentive; however, statistics show Malta has a lower number of students in tertiary education than most EU states which do not provide stipends.

Does this indicate that financial motivation falls flat of its goals?

The University must establish an improved method of ana-lysing a person’s financial situation; while those who require extra aid are looked after, people who don’t need the money aren’t taken into account.

An investigation into student expenditure should also be carried out, as it will answer many lingering questions.

If the government continues to invest in its future through education, then taxpayers’ money should be spent wisely, with proper research conducted.