Minister ‘cautiously optimistic’ on EU programmes outcome

Education Minister Dolores Cristina this morning said she was “cautiously optimistic” that the European Commission would lift the ban on EU educational programmes after the EU Programmes Agency submits its declarations by the end of the month.

Presdenting her ministry's report of the work done in 2010, Ms Cristina said EUPA staff was “working intensively” to come in line with the European Commission’s strict requirements. The agency was also reinforcing its structures so that if and once the programmes came back in place, it could handle the workload better.

She also emphasised that the Commission’s criticism was of the management, and not because of misappropriated funds.

Commenting on the opening of various child care facilities around the island, including the 3 to 16 programmes which cater for children between those ages, Ms Cristina said her ministry was criticised for not making enough progress in the area and then it was compared to countries such as Sweden and Finland. This comparison, she said, was unfair, as these countries both had a much longer tradition of working women when compared to the tradition in Malta, which only started recently.

The minister also announced that she had a report in hand which would affect the future of PBS in Malta which would be discussed in parliament soon.

She also said the government was committed to subjects which went beyond traditional academia, citing the recently launched Malta Arts Scholarships as an example. She also announced the Johann Strauss School of Music would be signing an agreement with the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini of Palermo for exchange programmes.

Also speaking at the report was parliamentary secretary for youth and sport Clyde Puli, who announced that sports facilities in schools would be opened for residents in the area, saying the track at St Ignatius College in Qormi had already been a success.

He also said National Sports Policy was in the works, which would be open to consultation to stakeholders soon.

Also present for the press conference was Parliamentary Assistant Stephen Spiteri.