Labour to give tablet computer to all Year IV children
Labour to give tablet computer to all Year IV children. Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
A free tablet computer will be given to Year IV schoolchildren to improve their IT literacy, according to plans unveiled by the Labour Party this morning.
Unveiling the party's roadmap for education, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said the core principles were that education would continue to be free of charge and that more young people would study after secondary school.
A Labour government, he said, would boost efforts against illiteracy, including IT literacy.
To boost IT literacy, a Labour government would give a free tablet computer to all schoolchildren in Year IV in all primary schools - private, church and government. This initiative would be carried out in conjunction with the private sector. The cost was estimated conservatively at €1.5 million.
Some 4,000 pupils would benefit from the 'one tablet per child' scheme.
"This is the future," Dr Muscat said, adding that the private sector would be invited to participate in a fund for this scheme and contribute to it as part of their corporate social responsibility. The issue would be discussed with the private sector and there could be tax cuts for contributors. However the €1.5m outlay estimate was based on the government footing the bill.
He said Labour did not plan revolutions in education, but to build on the good that existed.
A new government, he said would launch a national strategy against illiteracy.
It would empower teachers and heads of school, rather than having them constrained by 'orders from above'. Teachers, he said, knew best what was good for the children in their care, and they should be able to come up with initiatives to help pupils in groups and individually.
Local and school libraries would be strengthened and the central library would be modernised and better resourced.
Education spokesman Evarist Bartolo said the purpose was to have functional literacy, enabling more people to participate in society and the labour sector.
Malta, he said, placed at the bottom end of international surveys on literacy skills.
Breaking down the literacy barriers means giving children the tools they needed not to fall back. There was also need to work closer with families, particularly those near the poverty line. Labour's emphasis on childcare centres, he said, was part of this educational initiative because the early years were crucial for child development.
Replying to questions, Dr Muscat said Labour would not touch the stipends.
Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures to restructure the stipends system in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government.
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M Grima
Jan 25th, 18:21
look at the state politics has come to. in order to buy votes (this is for all parties), we are doing every possible stupid thing. first of all i don't think Year 4 students even know what is a tablet, let alone own one from such a small age. this is an unbelievable disgrace. and above all, the mlp is prepared to throw away €1.5 million to give kids tablets so that he could be in the government
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 21:11
When will Malta finally have a stately Public Library, unlike d one down d Floriana bastions, out of place & a peril for pedestrians to reach down a steep incline with no pavement to protect them from d heavy traffic flow, day in day out?
Millions of Euros r going down d drain for reasons now known by all & sundry but hardly any funds seem to b available 4 what d NATION is entitled by right!
aaf
Joe Azzopardi
Jan 24th, 20:47
Remember when MLP used to give the children's allowance to only the first three children ? Is this discrimination . And by the way, will the teachers get an "ipad or samsung" tablet ?
Nazzareno Cortis
Jan 26th, 15:39
Joe azzopardi
If it was for your PN there would never have been children allowance!!
Proof--they voted against--even for the first 3 children!
The children allowance is an MLP baby!
Douglas Matheson
Jan 24th, 19:43
Illiteracy definition (quote from oxford learners dictionary): not knowing how to read or write.
so instead of giving kids a machine to play games on...how about giving them books? It's amazing the amount of 'words' that can be found in books. You know, words that can be read...and maybe copied down with a pen...i think it's called 'writing'.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 18:28
This time round, "Dr Muscat said Labour would not touch stipends..." to Labour MP Evarist Bartolo's regret..
In 1996, spurred by Dr Alfred Sant, d latter sent students borrow loans from Banks!
Irrespective of their financial problems even if they happened to hail from poor families who could not afford to pay University fees!
Today it's a different story, no more financial constraints!
aaf
Simone Calaio
Jan 24th, 18:28
Mill-esperjenza nista' llum nafferma li l-PROGRESS RIGRESS!!!!!!!!! Għalkemm it-teknologija hija importanti fil-ħajja tal-lum zgur ma ġabitx progress intelletwali fil-familji!!!!
Steve Zammit
Jan 24th, 18:16
Tablets to Year 4 only? LOL
Olivianne Farrugia
Jan 24th, 16:45
Wouldn't it be better to invest in having support teachers? Can you look up the statistics to check how many teachers are resigning and the population drop in B.Ed course? Doesn't this sound the alarm?
Olivianne Farrugia
Jan 24th, 16:44
Are these politicians learning anything from the current education system in secondary schools? Do they actually know what the new college system has brought us to? Is there anything being done with the feedback from us teachers... or is this study leading nowhere? What happened to the study carried out by Profs.Borg and Giordamaina... Have they fallen in deaf ears? Are tablets the answer?
M Saliba
Jan 24th, 16:09
The future is paperless. This is a first step in the right future direction. If books are stored on the tablet in pdf format, students will not be forced to carry heavy bags. Notes may be available digitally for students and a lot of photocopying expenses will be saved by students.
Lucienne Spiteri
Jan 24th, 16:00
the actual real proposal was made in an article on the times about a Maltese teacher who was proposing this:
http://dailyedventures.com/index.php/2012/08/05/mark/
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120827/local/Primary-school-blazes-the-trail-in-technology.434495
C Vella
Jan 24th, 15:46
why do 8 yr olds need a tablet in the first place?
Shame on both PL and PN for using this materialistic stunt to get more votes!!! Why don't you both use some common sense and start giving a good example to our children, rather than spoiling them with some unnecessary tablet for your own political conquests!!!
Marion Portelli
Jan 24th, 15:45
And can Dr Muscat let me know how these tablets are going to be funded? I pay for the education of my child and have had enough of funding the govt and church sector. Dear PL, tablets and other IT gadgets are reducing the reading time that any child needs during his days at school. This promise is far away from combatting illiteracy.
Jeff Zammit
Jan 24th, 16:48
Just like Dr.Gonzi is financing the tablets for ALL Maltese schools. Didn't you read that your Gonzi is proposing tablets??????? Simply absorbed to attack PL proposals!!!!!!!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 24th, 16:51
Marion Portelli: Literacy TODAY does not mean just writing on a paper and reading . It means knowing how to communicate by computers, Ipads etc..
Josephine Tanti
Jan 24th, 15:44
Excellent!
Maybe Malta will be one of the first to increasingly adopt tablets instead of making our children carry kilos of weight in their satchel. All books will be continuously up to date and with the right software they can regularly check their progress with multiple choice.
This was the view of Steve Jobs, rest in peace. Forget partisan politics and let's give Malta No. 1
francis Buhagiar
Jan 24th, 15:43
It would be a bertter idea if the government gives a computer fully equipped with internet connection to those students that are living in poverty and they cant afford to buy one. These students are lacking behind other students when teachers ask the students to make a research on spesific topics.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 20:52
@ Francis Buhagiar
A valid argument that deserves our full backing for indeed there are unfortunate students who were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
This won't be a gimmick but a noble gesture worthy of our appreciation.
PN/PL please note!
Alfred A Falzon
twanny borg
Jan 24th, 15:41
Il-father christmas ta' marzu. Ma nafx kif ghadhom ma gabuhx liebes ta' father christmas fuq xi bill board. Veru l-pajjiz waqa redikolu. Xi jmiss issa?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 24th, 16:54
Twanny Borg: Jekk ghalik, ghax Dr. Muscat spjega l-proposta tat-Tablets lil studenti ta' Year 4, u qal kemm se tiswa l-aktar u anki kif se jkunu jistghu jghinu kumpaniji privati, qistu " Father Christmas". Mela li Gonzi qal li t-Tablets jinghataw LIT-TFAL KOLLHA, allura anki dawk tal-Kindergarten etc.. KIF SE SSEJJAHLU ?
francis Buhagiar
Jan 24th, 15:36
Do our children really need it? they are spending more time playing on the computer than making some physical or mental activity. Our polititions shall come out with an idea that makes our children more creative and healty.
Alex Buds
Jan 24th, 15:33
Good thing for him that all the angry Year 5 children can't vote ;-)
Josephine Muscat
Jan 24th, 15:28
It is fun to be a student now. A very positive approach
Joe Tanti
Jan 24th, 15:16
Kemm waqat fir-redikolu din l-elezzjoni. Minn ha jaghti l-iktar affarijiet b'xejn. l-ewwel net xejn m'hu b'xejn. it-tieni ghax ghandi inhallas tablet mit-taxxi tieghi l-xi hadd iehor meta jien m'ghandiex tablet. It-tielet, ghax ghandek timponi mudell ta tablet fuq xi hadd illum hem mijjiet ta mudelli fejn qeda il-liberta' ta' l-ghazla.
d cassar
Jan 24th, 15:15
To all of you who are criticizing the tablet issue that Joseph Muscat has announced...have you read that the Prime Minister is saying the same but this time for all pupils in primary? Do you have anything to say now?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
D. Muscat
Jan 24th, 15:07
Father Christmas tini pupa ...
Paul Pulis
Jan 24th, 15:05
To both Parties. Technological gadgets are not a solution to the major challanges facing education. I would be impressed if someone proposes a restoration of dicipline, dignity and respect in our classrooms. The building of new schools, interactive whiteboards, and now tablets, will only be effective if the right attitude exists. Parents should be held accountable for their children's behaviour.
R Axisa
Jan 24th, 15:23
amen
Wilfred Camilleri
Jan 24th, 14:59
Muscat bust be a multi-trillionaire or must be planning a new printing press for the money! New multi-million power plants, reduced energy rates, hundreds of thousands for billboards, free tablets for school children, etc., etc. Will he first build a printing press for the money? Funny, he never mentioned the printing press!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 24th, 15:03
Not read the Pn proposals yet have you?
Simon Cassar
Jan 24th, 15:05
Just a simple calculation...if instead spending 80 million for a useless parliament building (cos there is already one) one would buy a tablet costing roughly 500 euros, one would get about 160,000 tablets....enough for all the maltese kids not only year 4 pupils!!..that is what i call priorities!!!
Wilfred Camilleri
Jan 24th, 15:26
Yes Jeremy, I have. At least the PN can use the €300 million that Muscat is proposing for the new power plant to fund the tablets! BTW, I think that both parties are wrong about the tablet issue! How about better libraries in schools instead? How about more specialized courses in schools instead? How about concentrating on targeting children with low or poor literacy instead?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 24th, 16:57
Wilfred Camilleri: Don't you know that the €300 million you mention will be coming from a PRIVATE COMPANY ???
James Attard
Jan 24th, 14:57
My complaint:
So there's where my tax money is going...to pupils who already have expensive mobile phones at age of 7. U taparsi to improve their IT literacy. Tippruvawx iddahhku PL/PN!
My counter-proposal:
Invest in tablets but put them in a computer lab or library available for all students and staff - those pupils who want to make use of them can do so during related lessons or during break.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 14:53
"Heaven on Earth" for some who are not all that "down to earth"!
A day-to-day treasure hunt that makes life less gloomy and depressive!
What's next on the agenda up the PL's sleeve?
So far, it's been quite exciting!
Keep it up, brand new PL, for you deserve the best award for acting and showbusiness!
The so-called biography of a rising star by you-know-whom says it all!
Alfred A Falzon
Jeff Zammit
Jan 24th, 16:51
Miskin ... vera miskin. Have you not read the latest news that Gonzi is promising tablets to ALL students? I think the PN must invest a tablet for you so you can stay updated.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 18:03
@Jeff Zammit
"Miskin" One who does not have d least criticism 4 a Party that castigates its Deputy Leader just 2 replace him after pointing an accusing finger at him 4 having taken a member of d judiciary to task in defence of d weak!
Who is ready to accept anyone in d Party, opportunists & turncoats alike!
Who applauds what his leader says even when he speaks of "gay unions" as a "family"!
aaf
Alfred Falzon
Jan 24th, 18:13
@Jeff Zammit
Your comment makes me smile, making sweeping statements by associating me with d PN.
It exposes your bias and intolerance of those who refuse to kowtow to Political Parties & their hanging carrots!
Admit that d PL is no Labour Party at all. It acts like a chameleon that changes colour according to its whims & fancies, just to grab power & STRUT like a PEACOCK!
aaf
Peter Zahra
Jan 24th, 14:53
Jekk il Labour qed jweghdu dan l affarjiet lil poplu li jqumu miljuni ta flus bieq twetaqhom, allura mhux ovju li l pajjiz lum prezentament ghandu l Finanzi f sod !!! Jekk verament mhux hekk, allura Joseph Muscat jkun irresponsabli li jwieghed affarijiet li ma jistax jwettaq !!!
James Attard
Jan 24th, 14:51
another political stunt from both parties...not surprised the private sector will be 'investing' in this farce to win future contracts. x'tahseb poplu?
m borg
Jan 24th, 14:34
Come on gonzipn give us a better deal ) perhaps when they are 18 yrs old you will given them SMART car with A SMART CITY JOB ! this is becoming a circus !
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 24th, 14:17
Another Alice in Wonderland gimmick. Jigifieri jekk tifel/tifla jkunu illetterati sal Year 4 f'daqqa wahda jsiru litterati ghax Joseph Delivers ikun tahom ipad? The only delivery Joseph has done so far is delivering Anglu Farrugia to his political death.
E Mamo
Jan 24th, 14:26
So using your same logic Gonzi is full of "gimmicks" aswell, since he is also offering tablet computers to all school children.
M Cutajar
Jan 24th, 14:45
So if it is a PL's proposal it is a gimmick, but if a similar proposal comes from the PN it is heaven on earth. Unbelievable!
krecut wilson
Jan 24th, 14:48
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
Dave Alan Caruana
Jan 24th, 14:10
I think the public deserves to know what sort of tablet and when .. for example .. an iPad 6 in 2015 to Year 4's vs. a cheap chinese 7" tablet to all students. It could even be scaled by age, for example, year 1-3 get a feature phone, year 3-6 get a midrange smartphone, form 1 - 3 get a 7" dual core tablet and form 4 - 6 get the latest 8 core (they will be released by then) machines.
Adrian Zahra
Jan 24th, 18:16
Why, what's the point? Since it's just a proposal, it's the concept that you're being asked to approve, not the detail. Details will be worked out at the time. Otherwise, you'd have had to issue an expression of interest, tender etc., etc..
B. Farrugia
Jan 24th, 14:04
Bulk buying would probably reduce the cost.
C Busuttil
Jan 24th, 13:54
Take snapshots of those who ridiculed the PL proposal and ridicule them with their own comments
M Micallef
Jan 24th, 13:48
Political stunts, folded one after the other
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 24th, 16:00
what stunt ?
please follow,& swollow
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
M Micallef
Jan 24th, 23:40
on which terms have year IV been selected Demanuele?
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 25th, 12:04
@M Micallef
No problem, revers it how you feel to full fit you.
G. Desira
Jan 24th, 13:45
PL, increasing the staff discipline in government schools and departments, so that our children will have better human resources to learn is better than given a tablet computer.
Mr Mark Borh
Jan 24th, 13:38
Here's an interesting one: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/01/23/apes-get-ipads-at-national-zoo/
Paul Meilak
Jan 24th, 13:18
U wara year IV jitolbuk trodd it-tablet lura ?
M Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:14
Ftit snin ilu kellna lil tal-Farfett, kulma jigih go rasu, iwieghdu. Illum ghandna wiehed jismu Joseph Muscat!!
Norbert Vella
Jan 24th, 14:31
U issa xi tghid Sur Calleja. Il-PN mhux talli ser jghati tablet lil Year 4's izda ser jghati tablet lil kull student. Jew issa saret tajba il-proposta ghax harget minghand il-PN
A. Cauchi
Jan 24th, 13:13
Mid dehra anke is sure GONZIPn qijed iddisprat li jirbah l-elezzjoni, kif xi ftit qalu, ax KUMBINAZZJONI andu listess propsta bhal tal PL... idiferenza hi li XBAJNA nisimu gideb u wedit li ma twettqux minghand PN u din idarba imiss li il-fiducja tkun fidejn il PL forsi xi darba ilgvern ta GONZIPN ikun jaf kif ghandu jimxi mal-poplu mhux jahseb biss fih innifsu u ta madwaru!!!
Matthew Farrugia
Jan 24th, 13:05
Ahjar tablet lil studenti tal year 4 biss imweghda minn Joseph Muscat milli weghda ta tablet lil kull student moghtija minn dr Gonzi. Ghax iz-zmien uriena kemm dan gvern li jwieghed u ma jwettaqx..
K Grech
Jan 24th, 13:52
yeah :) start from smart city, go to white rocks, then visit l ispizerija tal ghazla tieghek li issa under panic ser jifthu kollha b iktar riskju li iktar spizerjiji ser jispiccawlhom malajr l medicini.
J.C. Borg
Jan 24th, 13:05
As someone said yesterday, we have another "money no problem" person, if he is not counting the chickens before they are hatched.
But, a few might believe him.
Simone Calaio
Jan 24th, 13:04
What kids need nowadays is a gigantic dose of common sense and an ability to THINK which unfortunately is soooo lacking. We need to go back to basics in all areas because there are 8 years olds who do not even know how to tie their shoe laces or pull up a zip!!!! How's that for progress!!
Christopher Dimech
Jan 24th, 13:14
I call it modern indoctrination
GL Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:15
Yes but they know how to join gangs, steal, get high and harass others etc. Thank God these are the minority because most Maltese children want to learn and need encouragement and not try to bribe them with an Ipad. Very stupid idea if you ask me.
GL Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:00
Dr Joseph Muscat, you and the PL must be very, very desperate to win this election. You are starting to sound like the AD promising everything in sight. Unbelievable how low politicians can go. First the reduction of Utility bills and now this one, which so far takes the cake. What's next? Why not tell us how you intend to stop the crime wave and the corruption that is taking over this island?
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 24th, 13:10
Dear GL, you must be living in another planet!! AD want to stop hunting, hardly pleasing everyone. They want to demolish boathouses, hardly pleasing the squatters! They want equality for gays to marry, and were for divorce...not exactly pleasing Catholics! They want immigrants to be treated with dignity, which bigots all over font want. Can you give me a good example please?
GL Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:21
You prove my point exactly. AD wants to do the impossible. The AD wants to do away with illegal boathouses? That is an impossible task Mr Cassar and everybody in Malta knows that. When it comes to gays and lesbians I am fully for a Union Marriage and same benefits as married couples but please do not cal it a marriage. You cannot fit a square peg into a round hole and there is a reason for that.
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 24th, 13:23
Dear GL, you must be living in another planet!! AD want to stop hunting, hardly pleasing everyone. They want to demolish boathouses, hardly pleasing the squatters! They want equality for gays to marry, and were for divorce...not exactly pleasing Catholics! They want immigrants to be treated with dignity, which bigots all over font want. Can you give me a good example please?
Therese Palmer
Jan 24th, 14:04
I have not seen your comments against this proposal on The Times reporting of Dr.Gonzi's same proposal for tablets! Or is it just Joseph Musca'st proposal to give out free tablets that's wrong???
Therese Palmer
Jan 24th, 14:06
How come you did not comment on Dr.Gonzi's proposal of free tablets??? Or is it just Dr.Joseph Muscat's proposal that is wrong in your eyes?
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 24th, 14:34
Impossible? Who said it is impossible to demolish ILLEGAL buildings?
And if you don't agree with equal marriage rights..fine.
But don't accuse people with principles that do not change for political expediency, while PL/PN are promising to keep spending uncontrollably! We are up to our nose in debt and AD have nothing to do with it!!
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 24th, 14:37
EU membership, clean energy, ban on spring hunting, divorce, civil gay partnership were pledged by AD 20 YEARS ago dear GL.... Before your dear PL/PN even hinted at them! Remove your blinkers
Simone Calaio
Jan 24th, 12:58
Schools and teachers are doing their utmost to improve the literacy levels but unfortunately parents are not shouldering their responsibilities!!!! It's about time that governments put MORE pressure on parents as they need to understand that THEY are responsible for their kids.
Giving tablets to students is not going to improve their intellectual level or their progress in academic areas.
GL Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:10
"Giving tablets to students is not going to improve their intellectual level or their progress in academic areas." No but it will get the PL some votes, because that is what this move is all about. I always said that politicians are fickle and they will do or say just about anything as long as it brings in votes. Even gullible voters will not fall for this one.
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 24th, 13:48
So will you be gullible and fall for PN's free tablets instead
LOL what a bunch of people with blue/red tinted brains!!
Donna Parnis
Jan 24th, 14:07
isnt it funny, what will all you PN supporters say now, First you trash JM because of his proposal for tablets for the children and now Gonzi has said he will also do it. Are you all going to make the same remarks about Gonzi for giving tablets to the children???? I bet not.
Simone Calaio
Jan 24th, 15:23
@ Donna Parnis......... if you had read my comment carefully you would have noticed that I wrote governmentS!!!! which means: irrispective to who is in government!!!!
Christopher Dimech
Jan 24th, 12:55
Governments, the administrations ant the teachers love anything that is non-academic. This is all a substitute for hard work by teachers pulled in by the digital education. In the UK, where I have been working in education for 9 years, schools are employing shiny new devices as a straight replacement for traditional books or pen and paper exercises that do nothing for education.
Joseph Portelli
Jan 24th, 12:54
"Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures on stipends in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government."
Garanzija certa li fi ftit jiem wara l-elezzjoni, nergghu mmissu l-istipendji! Mhux diga qed jghidu li ghandna sitwazzjoni finanzjarja dizastruza!! U aliex Dr Muscat ma semmieha xejn imma biss meta mistoqsi!
Nazzareno Cortis
Jan 24th, 14:07
@ Joseph Portelli
Kun af li l-istipendji holoqhom ghall ewwel darba gvern laburista!
Il PN kien kontra dawn l-istipendji!!
Il-Lum jiftahar bihom-qisu hu kien il-pijunier taghhom!
Ma nemmen li hawn hadd f'Malta li ma jemminx li 5,000,000,000 (hamest elef miljun ewro ) dejn m'hix sitwazzjoni dizastruza.
Il'PN jiftahar bil finanzi fis sod!!!
U d-dejn dejjem jizdied,ghax kull sena tispicca b'deficit!!
Joseph Galea
Jan 24th, 12:54
Xi jghidu issa il-PN li bdew jghidu li se jaghti t-tablets b' xejn???
Malajr qattu kwieti!!!
Victor Laiviera
Jan 24th, 12:54
All those regarding the promise of tablets/computers to all students at a certain level as a "freebie" are being very short-sighted as it is nothing of the sort.
It is an investment that will pay back x 100% over the years.
Every cent spent on improving our human resources (our only resource) is a cent well-spent.
GL Calleja
Jan 24th, 13:05
Mr Laiviera I think that Dr Muscat is getting some very bad advise from his planners. This is a very desperate move by the PL and there are a lot more ways to improve education besides passing out tablets. Passing out FREE tablets does not improve education, parents and good teachers do. Even you, yourself must be shaking your head at this one.
Jon Vercellono
Jan 24th, 13:32
and as I said before tablets don't increase computer skills (programming, use of SQL, use of Microsoft Office applications). if he has to distribute something, it should be laptops as they would be far more beneficial for the technical things one has to learn in computers.
Donna Parnis
Jan 24th, 14:09
GL Calleja, go check Gonzi manifesto, what he has promised this morning , Guess what, free tablets for children, Now lets see you call him names and say hes only doing it to get votes.? I bet you wont.
R Abela
Jan 24th, 12:50
FUTUR FIT-TABLET!
adrian agius
Jan 24th, 12:48
I promise if you vote for me i will give everyone over the age of 18 a new car !!!
Brian Gatt
Jan 24th, 14:49
and if you vote for me i will get 60,000 new jobs not 20,000......
M. Debono
Jan 24th, 12:45
haha this is hilarious, everytime PL come up with an idea the PN have to take the idea and try to better it, the tablet is the perfect example! Now the PN claim they will give all school children... after slating this. Not only that but after slating the PL's tarrif reductions they have just come to realise its feasible... all they need to do is reduce their monthly paychecks by a fraction!!!!
George Cassar
Jan 24th, 12:45
@Antonio Pace
The reason is plain if you know a little about out education system: Pupils in year 4 start to be assessed in the core subjects of Maths, Maltese, English (up to now). This assessment is then valid for their placement in classes when they reach the secondary years. So it would be futile to also give it to years 1-3. Or maybe a vote fishing excercise
James Abela
Jan 24th, 12:42
Tablets taghna Ikoll!!!!!!
M Vella
Jan 24th, 12:31
this is absolutely ridiculous!!
Deo Catania
Jan 24th, 12:31
To all gonzipn losers, read point 8 of this article: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 13:04
Ha ha ha ha talk about licking up what you spat out. Nice one.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 24th, 12:26
The cat has got so many commentators tongue?? lol
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
JOHAN MICALLEF
Jan 24th, 12:25
ghal dawk l apologisti kollha tal pn li qalu li din mijiex proposta tajba lawernce gonzi ghadu kif qal li ha jaghti tablets lil primarja u s sekondarja u t teachers kollha!!!jien ma nafx kif dejjem tohorgu kontra kull proposta tal pl meta ftit wara lawernce gonzi jejd li ha jamel l istess jew iktar!!ma nafx jien
George Cassar
Jan 24th, 12:25
Who's the copycat now?
Jurgen Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 12:22
Ma nafx ghaliex qeghdin tehdu din il-proposta bi kbira.
Jiena la jiena Laburist u lanqas Nazzjonalist, pero n-Nazzjonalisti ghandhom proposta li jaghtu tablets bxejn lit-tfal kollha tal-primarja u s-sekondarja. Li ovvjament tkun tiswa ferm iktar minn dawn l-4000 li qed jimmira din il-proposta lejhom il-Partit Laburista.
Ghalhekk ma nistax nifhem, ghaliex dawn in-Nazzjonalisti qeghdin imaqdru!
m. borg (slm)
Jan 24th, 12:22
What a sorry bunch gonzipn and its supporters are.
Can't come up with one original idea except, borrow,borrow and borrow some more , muck the national debt.
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 24th, 12:20
Ghalfejn qed tistagbu b' din il-proposta, li ja jitqasmu skoss tablet li tfal ta li-skola? hemm minn ha 4 miljuni f' konsulenzza u saru festini ta satejn u nofs kollox li swew €80,000...
dik turi id-differenzza bejn priorita u ohra u bejn mexxej u iehor.
ikbru ftit hbieb ghal gid ta nazzjon w uliedkom.
Paul Debono
Jan 24th, 12:20
Mal lejber kollox bit tqancic. irid id-donations biex ikun jista jaghmilha!
R. De Giorgo
Jan 24th, 12:16
@ All GonziPN apologists....better if you swallow all your words now.....360 degrees U-Turn on the way...LOL
John Cole Smith
Jan 24th, 12:13
Wow, and the University Students living on €2.50 a day (excluding Transport, Photocopies 5cents each, Books at €105 each, Writing pads €3.50 each, .......), This discrimination? Dr Muscat said that since these stipends were frozen, the real value is so minimal, can he tell Uni students, what he shall bring it up to ?, maybe €250 monthly?
Alfred M. Falzon
Jan 24th, 12:09
The idea of both parties to give a tablet computer to all school children from class IV primary onwards is a good idea. However, their distraction, apart from mobile phones, during lessons should not be underestimated. The PL is projecting 1.5 million euro for 4,000 tables, meaning each tablet would cost 375 euro. Is it wise to give them a high end tablet when much cheaper ones are available.
A Dimech
Jan 24th, 14:25
Remeber that software costs money also
375€ = Tablet and software and support and upgrades
Christine Vella
Jan 24th, 12:08
Ghaliex Nazzjonalisti qed tihdu kollox bi kbir ?? Ma skantajtux bizejjed bid-dejn li tella Gvern Nazzjonalista ?? Mar jibni palament gdid u li ma jaqbel xejn mal-kumplament tal-bini, meta ghandna binja storika bhal dik gol qalba tal Belt.
B Grech
Jan 24th, 12:05
Looks like PN just promised to give tablets to one and all. I guess there are quite a few PN bloggers with egg on their face right now :P. This election it would seem that the government for a change is struggling to keep up with PL's electoral road map.
David C
Jan 24th, 12:03
If political parties keep spending money stupidly like this just to win votes (i'm speaking about both of them), then we are heading down! Yes IT is very important but in 2010 there was a study that showed that 95% of all households in Malta with Children have internet access (so they have a PC/Laptop). It would be more useful if 1.5m Euro were spent on providing more Wi-fi Hotspots like abroad.
Steve Mallia
Jan 24th, 12:02
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255546/School-spent-500-000-giving-pupils-iPads-admits-HALF-broken.html
Roberta Cachia
Jan 24th, 12:01
Giving a ruin to the young doesnt make them literate ... Technology language is far more different than the proper writing...u teknologija hija wahda mill ikbar qerda fin nies fid dinja kollha sfortunatament dik hi l verita...a visit to profiles on facebook of the young will prove me right!
Peter Cassar
Jan 24th, 12:00
HAHAHAHA This new gimmick clearly says that MLP has no ideas to improve education so they will just give away something for free.
Allura what does Gonzi's gimmick do...giving it to all the students????
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:00
To all bloggers who have criticised and rubbished JM about forking out 1.5 million for the tablets. It seems that Gonzi is also forking out for tablets. Other bloggers have rubbished JM because they have said that it was a bad decision because they will break them.
Isn't a case of "tibla' ilsienek"?
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 24th, 12:00
qed tistagbu b' din il-proposta li ha jgawwdu skoss tfal ta li skola ghalfejn? hemm minn ha 4 miljuni f' konsulenzzi u marru f' but wiehed...
dik hij aid-differenzza u il-prijoritajiet differenti bejn mexxej u iehor!
ikbru ftit nies ghal gid ta nazzjon u gieh uliedkhom.
R Abela
Jan 24th, 11:59
If the LP does it it's bad, if the PN does it it's avant guard ...............IPOKRITI!
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:56
PN will offer tablets to PRIMARY, SECONDARY and TEACHERS with EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY ... that's the difference PL!
daniel farrugia
Jan 24th, 11:48
PN apologists did you read the article of what the PN just said .......!!!!!!!!!!!! a tablet to all students ALLL STUDENTS!! and you are saying that PL are going to increase the debt????
Antonio Pace
Jan 24th, 11:47
The PN shows how more avant eguard it is. Year 4 students only? why? All students and their teachers, the PN does not discriminate.
R Casha
Jan 24th, 12:03
u inti thallas bhal gahan!
Eve Axiaq
Jan 24th, 12:04
Dan juri kemm il-proposta ma tistax issehh! Mela bdejna nistampaw il-flus! Bilhaqq il PN ghadu ma ghamilx il-costings. Se jsiru fil-granet li gejjin qal. Dik serjeta!
Yasmine Tabone
Jan 24th, 12:13
P.N. does not discriminate? In what world do you live int Mr.Pace? In year 4 is when students start their exams...but I'm not talking about education with you, you voted for a government who transformed our children into guinea pigs, what the heck do you know about education -.-
m. borg (slm)
Jan 24th, 12:20
avant eguard my foot, copying PL but does not know how much it costs, still adding up the sums gonzi says.
A legimate question would "Minn fejn ser igib il-flus".
daniel farrugia
Jan 24th, 12:31
some pn apologists were laughing at PL's proposal before ... now it is possible!
Maria Mangion
Jan 24th, 11:46
Just to let you know all anti LP campaingners that Your dear Dr Gonzi is giving a tablet to all sudents. Wish to here your stupid coments now >>>>>>>>>>> Miskin dan il poplu twajjeb u niddizgusta ruhi fejn wasalna u ghalfejn proposta tajba gejja minn fejn gejja ghanda tkun imbiccra minn naha l ohra.
Matthias Farrugia
Jan 24th, 12:02
well said the last part.. its a pity that we are one country divided by mear colors... ridiculous
Mario Tabone
Jan 24th, 12:04
@ Maria Mangion
Exactly, you got that one right......to ALL students . Wake up woman !!!
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 12:07
At least PN does not go around spreading lies about the instability of our economic state and then promises to give a tablet to all year 4 pupils. Inconsistency at its best and this is what's truly disgusting.
The PL proposals have been butchered because they are not in fact feasible (not within the stipulated time frames and budgets).
Thomas Anderson
Jan 24th, 11:46
He said it was useless to give computers only to teachers and tablets would also be given to the students to all children in primary and secondary school.Do you know who said this? Non other than GonziPN just now. I guess a lot of apologists would like to swallow their words now.
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:57
Swallow my words? hell no, did you hear the PM say that it will not be a tablet like all others but will be restricted to educational purposes only?
Thomas Anderson
Jan 24th, 13:40
I see its a GonziPN special tablet made to measure u hallina trid.
pat muscat
Jan 24th, 11:46
GonziPN has copied PL on tablet computers! What are those that wrote against the PL' proposal going to say now?That is is a good idea?
clive bartolo
Jan 24th, 11:46
those of you here who are rubbishing labour's proposal..... pn is propssing the same thing in its electoral manifesto...... !!!
Kevin Muller
Jan 24th, 11:42
And how PL want's ta make sure that this children are using the computer and their parents do not sell it to someone ? If something doesn't cost anything it has no value ! And b.t.w. would it make not more sense to make sure that children are able to do simple calculations in their head instead being dependent on calculators ?
R. De Giorgo
Jan 24th, 11:41
@ All GonziPN & Co. ......ahjar taqraw ftit x'qed jghid Gonzi taghkom dwar it-tablets !!!!
Franco Farrugia
Jan 24th, 11:39
Should we take this seriously? Who gave JM this advice? Some former MUT president? To help children with IT literacy, they need lessons and input, and a conducive home environment. NOT LAPTOPS WHICH THEY WILL USE TO PLAY WITH!I
If it had been the PN that came out with this, we would have accused them of wasting money and gimmicks.
Luca Cordina
Jan 24th, 11:35
"Please, tell me, how would having an iPad manage to eradicate IT illiteracy exactly?
How will they make sure the children use it efficiently, rather than just use it to chat, listen to music and watch films or Youtube clips? Will they have a guard breathing down their necks?"
http://teandrain.blogspot.com/2013/01/theyre-it-illiterate-huh-oh-lets-give.html
Godwin Spiteri
Jan 24th, 11:35
Taf xi tfisser dil proposta sur joseph inqas bejh ghal hwienet li ibijaw it tablets .
Ms Borg
Jan 24th, 11:32
"Some 4,000 pupils would benefit from the 'one tablet per child' scheme." Who are these 4000 pupils? 2012 yr 4's? 2013 yr's? 2014 yr4's? if this is really provided, it has to be provided for each scholastic year yr 4's and not only to one scholastic yr just to state that the electoral promise has been kept!
Maria Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:31
So Muscat thinks that Education in Malta is on the right track if it's only a tablet he is going to offer. So why do his people critize the government when it comes to education?
Mario Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:30
€1.5 million euros are much less than the pay rise that GonziPn and his clique took behind our back. ...so what's the big deal?
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:26
Dailymail:
A school which gave out iPads to every pupil in hope of improving their education has admitted that just a year later half the costly devices have been broken. Honywood Community Science School dished out iPad2 tablets to its 1,200 pupils a year ago, at vast cost to the taxpayer.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 24th, 11:25
Allura minn fejn gew il-flus ghal computers fl-iskejjel u interactive whiteboards? Dan it-tberbiq u weghdi taz-zewg partiti mhux jaghmlu sens. Taghmel sens biss jekk jidhol il-privat. Hadd minnhom ma semma li dil-gimgha l IMF qalet li dis-sena se tkun wahda aghar fejn tidhol ricessjoni u unemployment. Ahna qisu qeghdin fuq pjaneta ghalina.
M Farrugia
Jan 24th, 11:24
Buying VOTES with a TABLET computer.........nice gimmick MLP !!!!
Joseph Gauci
Jan 24th, 11:21
Why all this fuss for such a proposal? Who wouldn't agree that his kids do well at school especially in IT these days? Money well spent I would say which is a fair return for our taxes. Well, this sounds better than someone giving himself and his minister's a €500 or so weekly payrise!
G Mangion
Jan 24th, 11:19
ALICE IN wONDERLAND !
whats Next joey ? Free PlayStation 3 !!!
G curmi
Jan 24th, 12:55
Le Smartphones lil kulhadd cause that's what Clyde said yesterday.
Kulhadd bi Smartphones u Ipads not with Escorts MK1 mimlija hard metal nowadays!!!!!!!!
R Casha
Jan 24th, 11:18
Is PL serious about this? They say we have a LOT of debt, and they doing such a proposal!
I would recommend that with such money the old schools are refurbished for ALL students to enjoy a better ambient and update their IT labs...rather than a tablet! What's the use of such a tablet?!
Totally disagree with this.
V. DeBono
Jan 24th, 11:44
lol an PN just copied labour and are giving tablets....its not such a bad proposal now is it.... rofl
C Ciappara
Jan 24th, 11:47
"Is PL serious about this? They say we have a LOT of debt, and they doing such a proposal!"
What about Gonzi then?? He just said that "tablets would also be given to the students to all children in primary and secondary school". Ha nara kif ha jdawrruha min qal kontra din il-proposta tal-labour!
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:58
Ciappara, il-PN Finanzi fis-Sod qal, mhux li fallejna imma xorta se naghtu l-freebies bhall-MLP
R Casha
Jan 24th, 11:58
@Ciappara
I didn't praise Gonzi at all...not after all they have done in the past legislation especially!
I'm only saying that Malta is limited in finances, thus it has to be spent wisely, such as a refurbishment of old schools, making students looking fwd to go to school and ultimately improve their learning abilities by motivation.
Peter Cassar
Jan 24th, 12:01
Speak now R Casha!!! Let's whether you are still of the same opinion!
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:11
Poor thing. You must swallow every word you have written
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 12:13
C. Ciappara- PN did not go around claiming that our economic state is disastrous. We claim to have "finanzi fis-sod" thus giving away tablets is not contary to any of our statements. The PL however have claimed that our finances need serious recovery- despite this they too proposed to give away tablets which is therefore completely irresponsible and another attempt at people pleasing.
Yasmine Tabone
Jan 24th, 12:18
Oh, now you're worried about the old schools? PN is CLOSING THEM DOWN and nobody knows what they're going to do with them !
We have a lot of debt? Remind me again, WHO was in charge of our deficit for these past 25 years? Oh, right, PN !!
C Ciappara
Jan 24th, 15:14
@John Cachia
This isn't about who claimed what. How can Gonzi claim that we have "Finanzi fis-sod" when we have over €5 billion in debt!! It is more irresponsible to give a tablet to ALL students, when we have limited finances! Labour's proposal is achievable! And I'm sure these tablets won't be xi €500+ iPad
Pass wara pass..mhux filli xejn u issa wara li semaha ha jaghti tablet lil kullhadd!
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 16:23
@ C. Ciappara: Do you seriously think that PN inserted this proposal just because JM declared his generosity moments before the PN were to divulge the plan for the upcoming legislature? If so, I urge you to think carefully and try your very best to realise just how absurd that is.
Neither party would add a proposal of the sort without some form of study and surely not PN.
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 16:26
@ C. Ciappara: Furthermore, your answer was (in similar fashion to your party's) an evasive response. As per my previous comment we claim and stand by our statment that we have "finanzi fis-sod" which is why PN proposed granting use to tablets to teachers and pupils. PL claim that "finanzi mhumiex fis-sod" yet still proposed to give away tablets like we can afford it. Make up your mind.
A Farrugia
Jan 24th, 11:16
Ma nafx ghalfejn certu bloggers qeghdin jaghmlu ghageb bil proposta tal PL, qeghdin jghidu li tiswa hafna flus, hekk u naqbel. Id- differenza bejn il PL u l'PN hija li flok JM haseb biex hu u shabu tal klikka, jiehdu 600 ewro fil gimgha zieda, PARTI ZGHIRA minn dawk il flus la ha il PN , haseb li jkun hafna ahjar jekk jinvestijhom fit- tfal taghna, SO... WHAT''S WRONG THERE !!!!
G curmi
Jan 24th, 11:31
Ezatt A Farrugia.
B'dak li ha Ministru f'xahar, tixtri 4 Ipads ghal 4 studenti.
Giov DeMartino
Jan 24th, 11:43
Everything is wrong here. Meta l-finanzi taghna huma daqshekk tal-biki, djun bil-biljuni, 90000 se jmutu bil-guh, hadd ma jista' jlahhaq mal-hajja, kollox gholi nfern u issa, f'dan l-ghaks kollu, se nrahhsu d-dawl u l-ilma, se nrahhsu l-hajja, se naghmlu child care centres b'xejn, se naghtu tablet computer lit-tfal, se nzidu pagi...imma possibbli hawn daqstant imzazen?
Ms Tiziana Grech
Jan 24th, 12:38
Naqbel mieghek 100%
Almenu l-flus li jitefqu ma jigux investiti fil-familja Gonzi biss imma fil-familji Maltin kollha!
Joseph Borg
Jan 24th, 11:13
It's useless giving tablets to year 4 students when the Computer subject is not taught in primary school. You have to start by introducing computer teachers and equipment before moving on to tablets. Besides all, tablets are waste of money. They're obsolete in months.
Louis Muscat
Jan 24th, 11:39
They can use them to play games......!!!!!!!
carmen delia
Jan 24th, 11:13
1.5 million euros . Dawn ha jziedu id dejn li huma stess dejjem jilmentaw fuqu
Ma jinkwetawx li spejjes zejda jwasslu ghal izjed downgrade
Gimmick ohra ghal vot . Biz zieda tac childrens allowance ghandhom biex jixrtuh min iried u meta ftit huma li m ghandhomx computer id dar . Ghatx ta veru ghal poter u johlom xi haga kuljum halli jaqghla l voti
Garanzija fuq is sahha ohrog bhal PN.
Clayton Zahra
Jan 24th, 11:57
Gonzi tijak ghadu kif hareg bl istess [proposta........ghall vot ukoll? ghall ghatx tal poter li cert li gonzipn ghandu??
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:13
80 miljun lira parlament fejn hafna minnhom ma jmorrux x'inhuma hdejn 1.5 miljun investiment f'uliedna?
Christopher Sammut
Jan 24th, 11:13
To all of you who are rubbishing this proposal re-money wasted, I like to tell you & remind you about this week bribery allegation re-commission on fuel buying, that is so called money wasted, it would have been better if same was used on us & our children not the cost of an ipod. So you remember the 80's but what happened this week you forgot already, shame, igranfati mal poter no more no less.
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:34
so 2 wrongs make something good ... ok
Christopher Vella
Jan 24th, 11:12
Come on! Seriously? Have we found an infinite supply of oil or something? We need to get out of this mentality where the State gives everything for free!!
J.C. Borg
Jan 24th, 11:11
"Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures to restructure the stipends system in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government."
Is the financial situation in Malta better now than it was in 1996??
M Farrugia
Jan 24th, 11:26
No HOFRA this time....buying VOTES with a TABLET......who is Father Christmas this time??
Pierre Vassallo
Jan 24th, 11:11
I get shivers when MLP talks about Education........a disaster in the making
G curmi
Jan 24th, 11:35
U zgur mela!
Jaf ha inhallat meta kont Primarja tal-Gvern jien ghal Primarja tal-lum!!!!!!
Hallina trid!!!!!!!!!
R Casha
Jan 24th, 11:36
well under Dolores Christina...the education is in a total mess!!
Victor Calleja
Jan 24th, 11:58
Daqshekk? Ighdilna izjed.
Clayton Zahra
Jan 24th, 12:26
Thats why it was an MLP government who gave free obligatory education for everyone Mr. Vassallo! Before it was just for those who could pay for it!
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 16:01
@Clayton Zahra
Where do you get this nonsense? Free education in Malta has been available in every village since 1847, yes EIGHTEEN forty seven and was introduced by the British.
It was made compulsory in 1946 when we did not have a govenrment!
Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself and stop believing the labour propaganda!
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 16:03
Well, for example there was the time Labour locked me out of school to deny me an education for starters, forcing me and thousands of other children to study underground!
Shaun Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:10
This ipad will eliminate all kind of social life kids requires to have. Invest in sports, not in cicci bilqeda fuq l ipad!!
Bernard Pollacco
Jan 24th, 11:19
agree 1000%
Peter Cassar
Jan 24th, 12:01
Speak Now Shaun!
Shaun Camilleri
Jan 24th, 13:25
I do not agree with neighter PN nor PL proposal on tablets/ipads!
R Casha
Jan 24th, 14:13
@Peter Cassar
Grow up and let ppl criticize and express their opinion...if one criticizes PL, it doesn't mean he's a PN fan, or vice versa!!
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 16:06
Shaun Camilleri - so very well said!
People are anti social enough with smartphones!
This idea (both parties) is beyond ridiculuous!
Anthony Lee Baldacchino
Jan 24th, 11:09
Meta nisma certu nies min dan il-kor tal-PN, ninduna kemm m`ghandhomx xi jmaqdru.Il-Bini qatt m`ghamel student.Jien kont Verdala JL, skola li dik il-habta, l-bini kien tal-wahx u xorta ma hrigtx illitterat.Min mindu `l hawn il-PN sar kontra l-investiment fl-edukazzjoni?Mela sirtu kontra l-komputers issa?E bilhaqq, il-PN huwa l-Partit li ma ridx l-edukazzjoni b`xejn ghal kulhadd. Fakkartuni
Shaun Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:09
and what about an iphone to all employees?? Why not us too? LOL
Cornelius Murphy
Jan 24th, 11:08
P2. As it is, she has her own computer, (inherited when I upgraded) and carefully chosen games and activities. It is cheaper than a tablet, does everything a tablet does and more, and best of all, i CAN MONITOR ITS USE AND SHE CANNOT CARRY IT EVERYWHERE AND BE STUCK TO IT ALL THE TIME!
This is just another way to buy 8000 votes (4000 x 2) and get a country of Angry Birds champions. Cheap shot!
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 24th, 12:28
Just refuse it, if you think it's a bad idea for your kids
Cornelius Murphy
Jan 24th, 13:14
@R. D'Emanuele
That won't help the country now, will it? (Which is what this is supposed to be all about.)
R. D'Emanuele
Jan 24th, 14:58
Agree 100%
please follow,
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130124/elections-news/pn-electoral-programme.454525
M Cassar
Jan 24th, 11:08
Proposti ta' Vera. Ghax studenti li ma tantx ikunu inclined ghall iskola jibdew juru interess permezz ta educational games, comprehensions interactive u attraenti, u anke l-qari jibda jattirahom. Dan ga bdejt nghamlu ma tfal ta' 6 yrs u emmnuni li jaghmel efett pozittiv fuq it-tfal. Grazzi Joseph ta' din il-proposta!
Richard Caruana
Jan 24th, 11:08
Did someone once say 'money no problem'?
Marco Lenzo
Jan 24th, 11:08
I really don't see the point in giving free tablets to children.
A tablet, from my personal point of view, is a luxury. A government should not engage in unnecessary expenditures just for the sake of it. If it were laptops, I could have appreciated more the proposed measure, though it should apply only to families who cannot afford one.
Why don't you support sport activities rather than iPads?!
J.C. Borg
Jan 24th, 11:08
Do they intend to give them the right to vote too???
Or they are just planning for the next electionS??
Cornelius Murphy
Jan 24th, 11:07
P1. How does just giving a child a tablet improve IT literacy? Shallow claim!
Last summer, my 8-year-old asked why I didn't buy her a tablet like some girls we saw at the park. I explained how they were stuck to it, playing games instead of socialising and and getting exercise. Even at her age, she understood.
If a tablet would help my daughter's IT skills, I'd have got her one long ago. Cont...
John Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:07
The MLP campaign is becoming hilarious beyond belief.
This new gimmick clearly says that MLP has no ideas to improve education so they will just give away something for free.
Come on MLP, we deserve better than this.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 24th, 11:22
Have you forgotten Austin Gatt giving away WINDOWS applications before last elections.
krecut wilson
Jan 24th, 12:47
say WHAT???? LOL
Mr Evan Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:05
continued.... and where you are afraid to do so because you are afraid politically at least send a bill and say it's free (for example in hospital). A person doing an operation would receive a bill of say €1500 and then in clear letters: FREE from Social Contributions (or something). NOTHING IS FREE
James Grech
Jan 24th, 11:04
Some ppl tend to immediately jump the gun and shoot at proposals from the hip. Gov. used to sell 2nd hand computers for a pittance and ppl flocked and hogged to get one. If however another initiative is to give away tablets, than its the end of the world. For me, this is economically a plus, since my children will benefit from such initiative. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 11:04
JM is now the new Santa Claus- its Christmas all over again children.
What a joke PL- get serious and do it soon because due to utmost misfortune (fundamentally triggered by persons who fail to realise the harsh reality that this alternative with bring along) you will most likely be in government!
Maria Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:03
Does Muscat have any more promises to make? The more he promises the more he'll have to keep or ............ break.
Joseph Portelli
Jan 24th, 11:03
"Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures on stipends in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government."
Garanzija certa li fi ftit jiem wara l-elezzjoni, nergghu mmissu l-istipendji! Mhux diga qed jghidu li ghandna sitwazzjoni finanzjarja dizastruza!! U aliex Dr Muscat ma semmieha xejn imma biss meta mistoqsi!
Mr Evan Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:03
my message is not for PL.... but for BOTH parties: STOP promising/giving things for FREE. Nothing is free, they have to be funded from somewhere else! Even if you want to give things for free always ask for something example 50 euros per year for 3 years. This will at least start making people appreciate that there is a cost and not FREE.
James Grech
Jan 24th, 11:02
Some ppl tend to immediately jump the gun and shoot at proposals from the hip. Gov. used to sell 2nd hand computers for a pittance and ppl flocked and hogged to get one. If however another initiative is to give away tablets, than its the end of the world. For me, this is economically a plus, since my children will benefit from such initiative. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 11:09
So I guess (contrary to what PL keeps claiming) we do have a stable economy enabling the government to give away free tablets to youngsters. Make up your minds and stick by your own statments.
Daniel Borg
Jan 24th, 11:01
Whoever said that this move is stupid has no idea what effect ILLITERACY has on the economy. Giving a tablet to year 4 students opens up the world to a younger generation AND: decreases likelihood of illiteracy, gets the younger generation excited about IT which is one of the services we still didn't develop as a country and by the way creates equality amongst younger children at such a tender age
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:13
Speaking from my own experience, when I started using the PC, with chatting I ended up writing np instead of no problem, lol, XD and other words which are not grammatically correct ... when I returned to writing I found it difficult to define the difference between what is good and bad in the language of FB and had to start learning how to write again - not to mention the gh, h etc in Maltese!
Cornelius Murphy
Jan 24th, 11:21
Yo've obviously never been around a year-4 student with a tablet. To cure illiteracy, you give books and work hard to help children learn to love reading. A tablet will have the exact opposite effect because it is a flashy distraction from books.
But of course all dads and mums want one for themselves, so smart move, Joseph Muscat. You've managed to blind some more people with your gimmicks!
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 24th, 11:01
I was not in favour of such a move when the PN tested it, I am not in favour now with what the PL is proposing and will not be in favour of a similar PN proposal.
This is a discriminating short sighted populist policy.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 24th, 11:59
Just heard the PN on this same issue.
As usual a better thought proposal which does not discriminate between children. As usual a comprehensive against a half-baked approach.
E Schembri
Jan 24th, 11:01
What action will be put in place to ensure that the tablet is used for educational purposes and not Facebook, games, adult content and who knows what?
At home, my kids use MY laptop, so I have full control over what they use it for and how long. I also work hard to take my kids to football, swimming & outdoor activities.. This scheme is going to destroy what many parents try to teach at home.
J Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:58
Despite all the PN's defects, they will be a hard act to follow, that's for sure.
So we'll keep seeing these gimmicks form the PL, just you wait. How many weeks till election? Calculate three gimmicks a week...at least...especially if they start losing from their presumed polling advantage points.
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:09
Is a tablet a gimmick? Just look at Gonzi is proposing? Come on guess ... still not there? Yes a tablet to every student!!!!!!!!! Is it still a gimmick? Come on Joe grow up
Carmelo Aquilina
Jan 24th, 10:56
the University of Western Sydney is giving out a free iPad to all students to help replace textbooks, improve communication etc... http://www.uws.edu.au/learning_teaching/learning_and_teaching/ipad_initiative
E Gatt
Jan 24th, 11:17
Australia is booming thanks to its incredible mining/natural resources profits.
Malta, despite not having natural resources, is doing quite well but let’s be realistic, we are not and will never be overflowing with money.
Till last month, MLP’s propaganda was all about how the government destroyed the economy and made us the poorest in Europe. Suddenly Muscat has discovered a money machine.
Pierre Vassallo
Jan 24th, 11:23
Right....18 year old students not 8 year old ones. Can you see the difference?
Bernard Pollacco
Jan 24th, 11:27
@E Gatt...and he also said malta have got relegated to the serie b xD
Mark Portelli
Jan 24th, 11:29
So what? Universities around the world do the same in order to attract students to enroll to their university. Just as supermarkets give you free water when you spend more than a certain amount. Its a sales promotion that all. And labour are doing the same. Its a promotion for votes.
If you want to battle literacy give children a book not a toy.
Nicholas Borg
Jan 24th, 10:55
Aren't we supposed to be sinking in debt and burdened by taxation? Where is all this money going to come from? And by the way he said a free tablet computer not a free iPad. There are ones made in China that cost around 80 Euro but are totally useless.
Norbert Abela
Jan 24th, 11:05
Our prime minister didn't find a problem to spend 80 million eur on a useless parlament...
Steve M. Engerer
Jan 24th, 10:55
Will our children be prosecuted if they use it for other purposes other than studies, as happened to some local councillors?
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 24th, 10:55
"Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures to restructure the stipends system in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government". If elected, he can always repeat the same words. Re. tablets: will they be imported from a particular country?
Mr J Xerri
Jan 24th, 10:54
To all those who each time the Labour Party makes fresh proposals ask from where is a Labour Government going to get the money, just a simple question: From where is a Nationalist Government getting to get the money to finance its proposals?
laurent caruana
Jan 24th, 10:54
this is not for real.....lol
George Cutajar
Jan 24th, 10:54
I said it before and I say it again - The festive season is not yet over.
Will Labour issue a tender for these tablet computers or will it work on the basis of an expression of interest?
Obviously Labour is making all these promises because thanks to a PN Government Malta has its FINANZI FIS-SOD but at this rate of promises Malta Taghna u Ta' Kullhadd will go down hill.
adrian dimech
Jan 24th, 10:54
This is the most regressive idea ever, today already exist a problem that children prefer to communicate more with electronics than on personal basis, it is a countinuos stuggle to persuade the children away from electonics and direct them to outdoors activities
I describe this as being a good tool in the wrong hands.
D Gatt
Jan 24th, 10:52
Has it been raining Euros lately?
Adriano Spiteri
Jan 24th, 10:52
Nothing surprises me anymore. The two-party system that we have can change nothing.
Their politics is politics of numbers. Factory workers, soldiers, Airmalta employees, hunters...they all had their experience with unfulfilled promises. This is but one of the childish proposals the LP came up with.
Someone called them two prostitutes fighting over the same clients. That was a spot on!
A. Borg
Jan 24th, 10:52
Miskina Malta! 57% tal-poplu li jahdem li jrid ihallas ghal dan kollu!
Steve M. Engerer
Jan 24th, 10:50
Are Labour sensing that they are losing ground with the electorate? As the promises they are proposing are nothing less than trying to cling to a straw.
I recall previous elections where we were promised Tax Holiday for 2 months - removal of VAT etc...
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:07
Mr.Engerer Gonzi wieghed it-tablets. Who is losing ground?
Jon Vercellono
Jan 24th, 10:49
Laptops will teach more about IT literacy than tablets as Microsoft Office applications are available there as well as SQL and programming. IPADS however would allow access to other learning resources - i.e. books, plays, artworks, museum websites (but this would still be available on the laptops).
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 24th, 10:48
What an incredible "volte face" from the golden days of Labour when computers were taboo!
Mario Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:22
Were computers available when Pn was in government in the 60's? ? what's your excuse now?
Mario Camilleri
Jan 24th, 13:46
@Francis Saliba MD,
Fejn ma tkunx taf tikkummentax. Int qadt smajt bil-BBC, Commodor 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari 600XL, Sinclair, Amstrad, BBC, IBM 286, 386 u 486SX, Amiga 1000, Amiga 2000 u aktar. Mela għax illum tagħllimt tuża kompjuter taħseb li int biss jew il-ġenerazzjoni tal-lum tafu fuq il-kompjuters. Taf x'kien sar taboo fi żmien il-Labour, l-'amusement rooms' kontra fis-60ijiet.
E Gatt
Jan 24th, 10:47
Next taxpayer paid freebie: a magic wand for each voter?
S. Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 10:45
each new proposal by labour makes me want to vote PN even more... fejn hi s-serjeta!! Come on kif se tnaqqas id-deficit - in-nies mhux b'dawn l-affarijiet sbieh se tigbidhom imma b'affarijiet serji. mhux se jkollna tfal iktar intelligenti billi ghandhom tablet!
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 10:51
Your last sentence shows how intelligent you are :)
M Gatt
Jan 24th, 10:54
But....come on just say it. You never intended to vote labour in the first place! People like you are dragging the country down. Do you know why I'm voting labour? I can't cope with the bills. I come back home from work and sometimes I have to eat a Hobza tal-malti because I have to save money to pay the utility bills. I can't even remember the last time I've eaten meat! And we whouldn't vote LP?
F. Azzopardi
Jan 24th, 10:57
Nimmaginak kont tghid l istess haga meta dahlu il computers fl-iskejjel?! Nies li jirragunaw bhalek huma it-tort ghalfejn dan il pajjiz jinsab fejn qieghed ILLUM. Cheers!
Daren Farrugia
Jan 24th, 10:58
Mela id-deficit ma kienx nehhieh Gonzi !!!!!
B Azzopardi
Jan 24th, 10:59
@M Gatt..and if you vote labour laqqas Hobza tal Malti mhux se tkun kapaci tixtri!!
laurent caruana
Jan 24th, 11:13
@ M Gatt
Mela jtik tablet b'xejn u mhux ser imisslek l-istipendji?
E Schembri
Jan 24th, 11:17
Agree with S.Cuschieri
A tablet does not make a child intelligent.
On the contrary, it spoils a child & continues to destroy his/her social life.
The truth is, that this tablet will be used for games & Facebook 98% of the time, & when the parent takes it away for misuse/overuse, the child will respond, "That is mine, Joseph gave it to me, you have no right!"
Thanks for making education harder
John Cachia
Jan 24th, 11:19
M.Gatt- people like you drag the country down, people who fail to realise a pathetic attempt at winning over as many votes as possible when its staring you right in the face.
When will you realise that you will still be paying your (high) utility bills if PL are in government- maybe even higher! Try to understand and reason before you comment.
S. Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 12:03
lol @ M Gatt
jekk tmur il lidl tixtri laham irhas mill-hobza biz zejt :) just for your own info, nothing political about it!
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:06
Sur Cuschieri il-proposta ta' JM fuq it-tablet hi l-istess proposta ta Gonzi. Kif se jnaqqsu deficit Gonzi fuq it-tablets issa?
S. Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 12:06
@ F. Azzopardi
jien favur it teknologija... anzi hafna favuriha u emminni meta nghidlek li jien ma nirragunax kif qed tahseb inti. issa ghadni kif qrajt li l-PN se jaghtu t-tablets ukoll... ma naqbilx lanqas!
meta ghamlu l-computers fl-iskejjel kont u ghadni favurihom... dawk almenu l-ghalliema ghandhom kontroll fuqhom!
A Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 12:06
@ M. Gatt
Tella l-labour u qas il-hobza tal-malti ma jkollok.
James Abela
Jan 24th, 10:45
What about Internet access? Next Muscat will promise free Internet to everyone and everywhere.
Edgar Gambin
Jan 24th, 10:44
A big blow to learning skills. Can someone tell me how an IPad helps Yr.4 children to be more creative. This measure kills creativity, thinking and literacy learning skills. But Labour does not really care about education but about gimmicks to get votes. We are in for a rough ride in education.
Warren Griscti
Jan 24th, 10:57
Edgar jahasra jekk gili uzajt tablet emm hafna u hafna applications li uma apposta bix titallem minnom. Jekk tintuza bilaqal iva titallem minna. Tkunx injorant u toqod tejd li ma tistax tintuza bix titallem
Edgar Gambin
Jan 24th, 11:26
Warren, l-ewwelnett grazzi talli ghedtli injorant. It-tieninett, nahseb naf xi haga dwar it-taghlim wara tletin sena nghallem. Il-lingwagg tieghek ma tantx juri li Malta taghna lkoll.
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 10:43
As a parent I can vouch for how stupid a proposal this is!
We do everything we can to keep our two children's TV and internet viewing time limited, and encourage them to play with toys (real toys) and get outside and play with children to develop normally and socially, and along comes Joseph to try and put yet another spoke in our children's wheels - remember the EU?
James Grech
Jan 24th, 10:55
David, then as a parent you should also inform yourself about how to limit internet-access to your children, that's what we did. Furthermore, at school, internet access is restricted to specific websites and children (and teachers) are encouraged to use as much as possible technology. What is worrying, is that schools tend to put too much academic pressure on children and less on playing.
Warren Griscti
Jan 24th, 10:59
Bit-tablet jekk forsi gili uzajt wahda emm hafna applications biex titallem u jekk forsi ma tafx anka jekk ikunu mal hbib tista tintuza bhala 2 player games u titallem somom u hafna affarijiet. Tibqawx tmaqdru. Jekk izomm il hin tat-tv u internet jekk ikollu tablet zommlu il hin ukoll.
Joseph Formosa
Jan 24th, 10:59
It is not TV. It is the new way to learn. My son could not learn the tables. Working in the IT industry myself I logged on to www.multiplication.com and it did miracles. Times change MR. Buttigieg and the World is facing another illiterate problem. This time with computers. Although I understand there should be time for everything denying children to use tablets is definately not the right thing.
E Schembri
Jan 24th, 11:53
I totally agree with IT education ..but giving a 9yr old child his own personal tablet is the wrong way to go.
@Warren: When my kids use the laptop, it is done in a common area of the house to ensure supervision. Parents lose most supervision if the child has his own personal tablet .
@Joseph, I don't want to deny them a tablet, but it should be school property and used only at school.
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 12:54
James Grech
Oh do try and think! After school activities should not be based on a computer, but playing as you pointed out and socialising. Internet at school is fine, mur obsor!
Children should be playing with other children, live, and not on tablets.
Do you really believe children that young will use tablets for educational activities? How naive you are and obviously not a parent!
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 12:58
@Warren Grixti
I use them extensively thank you very much and my children probably know them inside out!
Playing with other children on a tablet, 2 player games?
Brilliant way to learn to socialise, must say. Why even go out of the house?
David Buttigieg
Jan 24th, 13:03
Joseph Formosa,
You taught your son in a constructive way, very well done, but do you leave him to his own devices on the internet all the time? I doubt it.
Giving children that young a tablet of their own (out of school) is a very bad idea.
People are antisocial enough with smartphones!
As for children being illiterate in IT - You're kidding right?
Noel Gatt
Jan 24th, 10:43
Inizjattiva tajba hafna li probabilment tiswa inqas mil pont li ma jwassaj ghal imkien!
pat muscat
Jan 24th, 10:40
Computers are as important as yesterday's copy books. An other step forward.
Matthew Fenech
Jan 24th, 10:40
Muscat wants it ..... He wants it ! Someone give it to him !!!! FAST
W. Cassar
Jan 24th, 10:39
A step backwards... you don't have to give tablets to every student just let them have access to them. What is the tablet going to run? IOS, Android, windows, Linux why not make it 4 tablets per student!!
You were on the right path .... but don't go overboard!!
Robert Cassar
Jan 24th, 10:39
I want one too... I had good grades even in form two lol
Mark Spiteri
Jan 24th, 10:39
Father Christmas is still around....only yesterday JM was saying that the country is in great debt...are we or are we not ???
J Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:43
It's a huge mystery, Mr. Spiteri.
Let's hope that if/when PL get into Govt, they do not suddenly find a big hole in the ecocnomy...remember the '96 story?
G curmi
Jan 24th, 10:43
L-ipads tat-tfal zejda Mark?
Come on ta', dawk il-karozzi lussuzi tal-Ministri u teatrini kollha,dawk ma jgibux dejn fil-pajjiz?
S. Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 10:51
@ G. Curmi
U meta jkun hemm Joseph fil gvern mhux se jaghmel teatrini? ghadu mhu xejn u ga hareg autobiography!! ahseb u ara kemm se jippoza JEKK ikun fil-gvern! u hallina!
Mario Camilleri
Jan 24th, 10:56
@Marl Spiteri,
Nassigurak li dawn ser jiswew ħafna anqas mill-€4 mijluni li ħa bniedem wieħed bħala kommissjoni. Għalmenu dawn ser jgħinu biex it-tfal jiffamiljarizzaw ruħhom sa minn kmieni peress li llum it-teknoloġija komputerizzata hija l-għodda ewlenija għal diversi oqsma fid-dinja.
M Gatt
Jan 24th, 10:39
Thanks Dr.Muscat. This is the way forward of our progressive movement. Join us and vote Labour.
Joseph Muscat is the way forward to a better future!
S. Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 10:50
do you know that there are computers available in the classrooms? do you know that children can use them WHEN the teachers says it's ok to use them? that's called classroom management. how will the teacher control the classroom with all the students using the tablet WHENEVER THEY WANT TO? can you please inspire me and tell me how!!!??
G curmi
Jan 24th, 12:00
S Cuschieri,
do you know when the Bacir no1 will be ready?
do you know why there was a complete mismanagement re this project?
how come no project keeps its time frame?
can you inspire me and tell me why all this scaremongering????
Tiziana Caruana
Jan 24th, 10:38
Proset inkomplu nghazznu t tfal u naqtghuhom ghalihom wahedhom quddiem bicca screen zghir..il fatt li kull year group ghandhom computers fil klassijiet nahseb bizzejjed biex juzawh ghall bzonnijiet tal iskola!
Rebecca Bartolo
Jan 25th, 06:49
By any chance, is your opinion still the same , now that pn also wants to give tablets? Jew orajt issa?
Jonathan Deeley
Jan 24th, 10:38
Helping to create a new generation of "couch potatoes" in the process ? I feel that he would do greater service to the future of his country by concentrating upon child literacy and obesity rather than this obvious gimmick.
James Borg
Jan 24th, 10:38
by the way did the PL say how much the parents have to fork out for the monthly running costs for every tablet??!
R. De Giorgo
Jan 24th, 10:37
Another PROGRESSIVE proposal from a progressive LEADER..... Well Done Joseph Muscat !!
Luke Bonnici
Jan 24th, 10:36
What happened to good old books?! I think the focus should be literacy not IT literacy ... It amazes me how many people in Malta do not know how to read and write (properly). Also, what language will be "native" on these tablets, English or Maltese?!
F. Azzopardi
Jan 24th, 11:00
Who mentioned that children won't use books anymore? It's just an introduction of a tablet....why the fuss huh?
James Borg
Jan 24th, 10:36
The PL didn't say it would give out the costly iPad.... it could well give the pretty much pupil time-waster 7'' eFun Nextbook for just £80. As a former IT teacher, I think the tablets should be given to Sixth Formers and not Year IV pupils. I also think that laptops are more useful (and cheaper than an iPad or Windows tablet)...tablets are still a bit of fun toys to play with.
L Cremona
Jan 24th, 10:35
A similar initiative was done in the UK...another money waster!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255546/School-spent-500-000-giving-pupils-iPads-admits-HALF-broken.html
Alex Frendo
Jan 24th, 10:35
I'd like to remind you all that during this legislature Maltese students who were encouraged to study abroad where denied ERSMUS funds thanks to some greedy people, who funnily enough happen to be some Minister's relative.
I'd like to ask. Did they give the money back???
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 10:32
Tajjeb, metodu izjed facli kif it-tfal jintefaw fuq Facebook jew jilghabu loghob li ghall-Ipad jiswew 3 ewro biss ... ija issa jitjiebu fl-edukazzjoni!
G curmi
Jan 24th, 10:45
Min se jixtrilhom il-loghob li jiswa € 3 biss?
Mhux il-genituri ha jibqghu in control Marco!!!!!!!!
J Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:45
Yep...we're already having kids who are unable to start or continue a conversation 'cos they're too occupied with their electronic gadgets...why bother investing in their character?
I'm so glad I had the childhood that I did.
Marco Galea
Jan 24th, 11:20
G Curmi l-ewwel iridu jkunu prezenti l-genituri habib!! Jien meta ma nkunx xoghol hdejhom inkun imm waqt ix-xoghol tieghi jkunu ghand in-nanna taghhom, povra ommi lanqas ideja x'ini tablet ahseb u ara kemm se twaqqafom milli jixtru l-loghob!
R. Farrugia
Jan 24th, 10:30
this man just keeps making a fool out of himself... Muscat, it looks like the economy ain't that bad if we are able to afford this.
One Question, you are promising all these things right ? where will you be getting the money to do these things ? Only one things come to mind , TAXES ! apart from that , the private sector , can only give so much , he ALWAYS needs something back in return !
Aaron de Giorgio
Jan 24th, 10:27
In the same way as every family has to balance its income and expenses, to avoid ending up in the red every month, so does the country. If Labour has been screaming its head off at the burgeoning national debt, the only way to finance all these free gifts from the nanny state, will be to dramatically increase taxation, which will sink the economy. This is a scary rewind to Zapatero's Spain.
Mark Brincat
Jan 24th, 10:40
Aaron ... national debt is at 75% of GDP ... flok nefaq il-miljuni fil-ħela ... qed jonfoq miljun ewro fl-edukazzjoni ta' wliedna ... dik qed tara żejda???
Aaron de Giorgio
Jan 24th, 17:05
Mr Brincat, the UK has had some schools giving out free iPads and I know that up to half of them were damaged or broken within the year. This is crazy, from both parties. I don't have blinkers on. This is absolutely nuts. Debt levels are well within Euro-zone parameters. We all have to take out a mortgage to buy a house. As long as you keep up the payments, all well and good.
manuel lia
Jan 24th, 10:27
wow.......whats next for free?a pizza every weekend maybe?a weekend break in a luxury hotel?free sandwiches for all?free football tickets for big games?or maybe even a free cruise?jien nahseb li bdin ir rata ta kollox free mhux cipru ha jgibna....imma grecja.....dalwaqt jghidlna li ha jkollna free sattelite tv fkull dar ta malta u ghawdex..TAF XJONQOS..a free car for all.. DUBAI HA JGIBNA
R Vassallo
Jan 24th, 10:27
Well done PL. At last concrete actions favouring modern trends in education. As an educator myself I consider this a strategic step in establishing the foundations of a real Knowledge Society in the Maltese Islands. A Knowledge Society requires the growth of a ubiquitous corresponding culture. Young children are the base. Get them young, more necessary than mere brick-and-mortar initiatives.
Mr patrick mifsud
Jan 24th, 10:26
issa kull min ikun year V is sena id diehla jipprova joqghod repeater halli jiehu tablet :)
Charlene Zahra
Jan 24th, 10:26
Seriously? Any more freebies left? And to think that our deficit is planned to be reduced. In the real world when expenditure is greater than income, the opposite usually happens! !
Joseph Galea
Jan 24th, 10:26
Hawn min qed jipprova idahhaq b' din il-proposta, pero jekk veru ghandkom rispett lejn uliedkhom u jekk tridu li uliedkom ikomplu javvanzaw fl-edukazzjoni u fl-IT ghandkom tkun kuntenti b' din il-proposta GHAX L-ISKEJJEL PRIVATI SE JIBDEW BL-ISTESS MOD IS-SENA D-DIEHLA u l-istess minn year 4!!
Qabel tkisru l-proposti kunu certi minn dak li qed tghidu, avolja fil-fond ta' qalbkhom tafu li tajba!
M. Degiorgio
Jan 24th, 10:26
A scheme for electric cars please............. I will scrap my car the minute the scheme is active.....
Matthew Fenech
Jan 24th, 10:42
No electric cars have been forgotten by both parties ....
F Desira
Jan 24th, 10:25
Oh dear.......doing a very big effort to lose another election.....keep it up......
A M Bonello
Jan 24th, 10:22
Excellent idea Mr Muscat.Please make sure that the companies are charging decent overseas prices for the tablets.Everything in Malta always seems to cost more then items in the EU,even with shipping items are cheaper.
m Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:31
yeah really excellent.. the only difference is that a pn government builds a new school every year and invests in it labs so that all students can use them..and the pl government instead of building new school will give ipads for free..christmas will come early for year4 students under a pl government
Carmel Borg
Jan 24th, 10:36
Your claims are untrue. I challenge you to identify any latest branded model and cross check the price from a shop anywhere in Europe aginst a shop anywhere in Malta. Like with like same model, shop against shop, latest model with latest model, same guarantee, same aftersales. Airports' duty free and online shall not be considered as like with like.
A M Bonello
Jan 24th, 12:01
@Carmel Borg. Everything is more expensive in Malta then the EU,from food shopping to buying new cars to computers to electricity bills.
N. Agius
Jan 24th, 10:21
Further to this idea it would make sense to start using ebooks instead of traditional text books.
Eric Bonanno
Jan 24th, 10:19
Joking?! And pupils won't be having a good time chatting a playing silently during lessons? And wouldn't that be discriminatory towards the other classes? Would this be valid for the coming year alone or for the following years as well? Good bye class control. At Yr 4 pupils have a short attention span and it would definitely get shorter with a tablet in hand. Please come back on earth!
m Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:18
il pl flok jajd jinvesti f'labs ta IT jigifiri jamel computers normali fejn ikunu jistaw juzawom listudenti kolla ta liskola hareg blidea ta alice in wonderland ohra li jtihom tablet bix jider bhala l partit progressiv gdid u originali....progressiv gdid fejn aktar min nofs tal labour party adu iffurmat min nies li ilom hemm aktar min 25years! l qoxra ta barra biss inbidlet tal pl !
Etienne Borg
Jan 24th, 10:15
If Joseph want to win the election better he zip his mouth ghax qed jejd ic cucati u sa jitlef il voti kif gralu Alfred Sant F lahhar
G curmi
Jan 24th, 10:30
Insejt kemm ftahartu bil-whiteboards??????????
Issa ha jkollhom il-gadget f'idejhom it-tfal.
What's new??????????
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:04
Rajtu manifest ta' Gonzi? Qieghed jghid cucata ghax ippropona hu ukoll it-tablets? Int kaz tal-biki fejn qed turi li kull proposta ta' JM tikkunsidra hazina
Joseph Borġ
Jan 24th, 10:13
An iPad won't improve IT literacy
G curmi
Jan 24th, 10:27
Ghalfejn qed tisghageb!!!
Pajjizi ohra ilhom zmien juzaw tablets waqt il-lessons tal-iskola!!
J Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:53
@ G Curmi - minkejja dan, xorta gahnhom izjed problemi ta illitterizmu u qaghad milli ghandna ahna.
Insomma, jien ma nixtieqx nibqa inhallas ghal-izbalji u l-fanfarunati ta haddiehor bit taxxi tieghi.
Mary Borg
Jan 24th, 11:18
@ J. Micallef:
Evidence please. PISA testing states otherwise. Only ex-communist countries have a lower reading mean score than Malta, a shameful result considering that English is an official language. No wonder, they pulled out of it. So check your facts before throwing political propaganda. http://www.statsilk.com/maps/pisa-programme-international-student-assessment-interactive-world-map.
connie scerri
Jan 24th, 10:13
Dear Joseph,
anything for the devoted housewife,
thanking you in anticipation,
M. Scerri
Byron Abela
Jan 24th, 10:30
Sorry this is not christmas. Actually your family will be taxed more to finance the tablet
G curmi
Jan 24th, 10:40
Byron,
Mat-tfal tridu taghmlu l-ekonomija?
Taf kemm issir hela u tberbiq ?
J Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:56
@G Curmi - u l-hela u t-tberbiq tahseb ha jieqaf la jilhaq Joseph Muscat? Minn jaf xi kju hemm jistennew il-pjaciri u t-tenders li weghedhom...
And Byron is probably correct - Joseph Muscat has not said anything about taxes and I find it pretty hard that he'd be able to keep the promises without further taxes. He states he's going to boost the economy...very funny indeed.
Byron Abela
Jan 24th, 11:06
Well said J Micallef...
We have no guarantee that under Joseph there will be no waste.
Will the Minister resign if there's even 1 EURO wasted?
G curmi
Jan 24th, 12:07
Micallef, nahseb m'ghandux Gonzipn fil-kju lesti ghall-pjaciri u ghat-tenders!!
Byron, s'issa taht Gonzipn garanzija certa li ghandna taf x'inhi, li hadu €600 fil-gimgha minn wara darna u mnAlla qamu l-irwiefen!!
By the way taf jekk gewx rimborsati lura l-flus li lahqu hargu???
Kurt Barbara
Jan 24th, 10:12
And PN gives a new school every year to the people ..u haluna PL ..kollox b xejn u viva t-taxxi
Mary Borg
Jan 24th, 10:12
There is only one solution for state schools to really fight illiteracy and it's not by building a new school each year or by giving out freebies but by appointing people high up in the division who have ACTUALLY taught in our schools & know the reality our students are facing, by cutting bureaucracy, making sure that all LSAs and teachers are actually qualified & by focusing on the basics.
James Abela
Jan 24th, 10:11
Vote for me and I will give you anything you want............
Bryan James
Jan 24th, 10:11
A similar initiative was already proved successful in India. The government hired a private startup to produce his own brand of tablets for $20 each!! Students are not going to be given a $500 iPad, you can get a pretty good Android 4 tablet for less than $100 these days!
Problem will be how to stop the "crafty minded" kids from selling these and claim that they lost it!
Aaron de Giorgio
Jan 24th, 10:30
How will you control access to pornography for year 4 children, how will you reduce time wasted on games, chatting facilities, free calls and so on. And how will you stop them from selling these to buy something else. This is mind numbingly crazy. If I had a year 4 child I'd take it away from day 1 and lock it up until they're old enough to be able to handle this tool. Crazy, crazy, crazy.
Mr Mark Borh
Jan 24th, 10:11
Tablets are toys, gadgets...
If you want to get children to be IT literate, you need to put more computers in classrooms and get children to learn word processing, spreadsheets, graphics as well as publishing software. Another concern I have is what type of tablet will the Labour party be providing if they are in government? If it is the cheap type that are not google approved, they are useless!
Aaron Debattista
Jan 24th, 10:25
I completely 100% disagree with you.
A tablet is not a toy. It is a computer system in its own right. The "having computers in the classroom" method has NEVER worked. Unless you count being given 10 minutes to draw a circle with MS Paint as education. We have had PCs in our primary school too since Year 2. We were scolded every time we tried to experiment, which is the real way to learn ICT.
James Grech
Jan 24th, 10:11
This idea is not only putting money where it is more needed i.e. education resources available to all, but will also make future (and present) generations more technology aware. Students will all be able to learn how to make use and exploit such technology for their own needs. This is definitely a +
Chris Mifsud
Jan 24th, 10:10
The economy cannot be that bad if the MLP can afford to give and promise everything under the sun. What next ?
Andre Briffa
Jan 24th, 10:09
Is this guy for real?
Matthew Micallef
Jan 24th, 10:08
the new power station is being built for us to be able to charge all of these tablets. the truth is finally out.
Mr Anthony Briffa
Jan 24th, 10:08
Another gimmick of the first order. Unless such a handout is backed by proper long term IT courses it is bound to distract the children and above all will hinder their learning of foreign languages, especially the English language. It will encourage them, from a tender age, to practice the sms and facebook language. This should be classified along with the repeater class proposal of 2008.
Demi Tanti
Jan 24th, 10:19
oh give it a rest will you! you and the rest of those who keep voting to the same party (irrelevant which party), will keep bad mouthing and as we say 'issibu x-xaghra fl-ghagina', no matter what your party keeps throwing along! grow up will you
Kevin Camilleri
Jan 24th, 10:07
can you please also pay us normal citizens with normal wages our home loans since you are giving everything for free Mr. Muscat? Thanks
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 10:36
Gonzi gave you free light bulbs. did he pay for your home loan?
Kevin Camilleri
Jan 24th, 11:11
Bozza ma tiswiex daqs Tablet ta sur Zammit, jew ma tafx kemm jiswa Tablet? U fuq kollox, bozza hija xi haga utli f'dar, Tablet f'idejn tifel ta 8 snin ma hu xejn hlief bzar f'ghajnejn il-genituri, ghax tifel ma ghandux vot! Ahjar izid il-kompjuters fil-klassi, hemm teqred l-illitterizmu fl-IT!
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 11:47
Take a look Mr Cammilleri and see how much the bulbs cost
http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20090804-energy-bulb-scheme-million-waste
suprised???
bzar f'ghajnejn ?????? move on sir, its 2013.
Paul Zammit
Jan 24th, 10:05
Run statistics. You WILL find that the average age of the parents of year IV kids falls into the band of lowest PL voters. Succinctly, if this ain't an attempt at winning the votes of these kid's parents then it is JM out of his mind.
Mary Borg
Jan 24th, 10:17
How do you know that? Parents of year 4 students can vary from ca. 23- to 47-year-olds. How can you come up with such conclusions? Facts show us that degrees and certificates do not necessarily show that a person has actually grasped a language. There are myriads of students who manage to pass through 4-5 years of university even getting a Masters with atrocious English. Now isn't that a shame?
A Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 10:02
Increasing IT Literacy through tablets?
I wonder what research they based this proposal on considering that using a tablet you merely click on icons and have no idea of what's going on in the background - to increase IT Literacy you need to give them access to the core (like in normal operating systems) otherwise it'll be just another toy.
James Grech
Jan 24th, 10:14
Which research says that 8 year olds learn better when confronted with difficult topics such as learning the core of an operating system? After all we're talking about IT literacy not becoming an ICT scientist or professional. Can we keep things in perspective when we comment?
A Cuschieri
Jan 24th, 10:31
I'm imaging kids using this to write their homework. Have they taken into consideration the ergonomics of it? I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but personally I don't believe that it'll increase IT Literacy. I have a tablet myself and it's horrible to type on, simply because it's out of it's scope.
Having said that, Bartolo said Functional Literacy - which is WAY different than IT Literacy.
John Borg
Jan 24th, 10:02
Great, remove their ability to touch-type as well as give them more incentives to stay indoors playing on their tablets rather than run and play.
Did he factor in free insulin and obesity health care?
Joseph Zammit
Jan 24th, 09:58
Any chance of giving us electric cars as freebies? am sure we will benefit from cleaner air! Next freebie please...
Joseph Portelli
Jan 24th, 09:57
"Mr Bartolo said Labour regretted its measures on stipends in 1996 but said it had been constrained by the serious financial situation it inherited from the previous Nationalist government."
Garanzija certa li fi ftit jiem wara l-elezzjoni, nergghu mmissu l-istipendji! Mhux diga qed jghidu li ghandna sitwazzjoni finanzjarja dizastruza!! U aliex Dr Muscat ma semmieha xejn imma biss meta mistoqsi!
Carmel Borg
Jan 24th, 09:56
Wow this campaign is looking more and more like an italian tv commercial...tutto gratis
Andreas Azzopardi
Jan 24th, 09:55
Im not trying to be funny but honestly Joseph is so eager of being the youngest prime minister of Malta his Campaign is getting scary. he is giving out more freebies than a certain company at the beer festival.
Mr Ernest Vella
Jan 24th, 09:55
Waqt li l-idea hija interessanti hafna u hija idea sabiha, nahseb tajjeb li nqisu certu affarijiet; 1. Il-privat, il-privat, il-privat. Xi gwadan ha jkollu il-privat? 2. Tfal ta Year 4 huwa ghaqli li naghtuhom tablet meta kulhadd jirrikmanda li l-komputer id-dar ghandu jkun f'post ta kulhadd minhabba certu riskji? 3. Nissugerixxi li jaghtih lil Form 1's u mhux lill-Year 4's
Joseph Galea
Jan 24th, 09:54
L-Iskejjel privati ser tibda din is-sistema mis-sena d-diehla fejn il-genitur irid jixtri tablet. Ghaliex tal-gvern ghandhom jibqghu lura? Prosit PL.
Pawlu Cauchi
Jan 24th, 09:54
Prosit Dr. Muscat keep it up. PL proposals getting better by the day.
Andre Briffa
Jan 24th, 10:53
Simple things please simple minds
Byron Abela
Jan 24th, 09:54
Santa's here...
Mario Tabone
Jan 24th, 09:54
Wow.......a tablet to all year four students !!!!
That is really investing in education compared to a new school every year and stipends to all students with some getting as much as 900 euros each.
This confirms that Joseph Muscat is just a populist copycat who has not got a clue !!!!
Trust this man at your peril and be prepared to lose out big time if God forbid he is elected !!!!
Matthew Micallef
Jan 24th, 09:54
Just another gimmick from the labour party.If you want to improve IT literacy you give the children access to desktop computers or laptops as tables do not have the functionality of a 'normal' computer system. And what happens if one of these tablets breaks, will the children receive another?And will they be able to take these home?if not imagine the logistics of charging tablets for a class of 30
Fran Abela
Jan 24th, 09:53
All this plus other freebies would be great but can Malta afford all this ? Has Labour struck oil and not told us about it despite the fact that Malta Taghna Ikoll ?
Thomas Anderson
Jan 24th, 14:20
It might be that GonziPN struck oil and not told us, as he is not going to limit the tablet to tear 4 kids only but going to give one to one and all.
Justin Caruana
Jan 24th, 09:52
without getting into politics... this is a good move forward.. many books nowadays are becoming available in softcopy as PDF.. this will eventually mean that the schools could update books very easily. and students will always have the last edition of each book.. PLUS it will mean that students will not have to carry the heavy backpack that I remember myself carrying!
well done for a great idea
Pierre Vassallo
Jan 24th, 09:52
Good gimmick Muscat....your greed has no limits.
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 24th, 12:01
LOL - Go ahead now, criticize Gonzi for his tablet gimmick
Chris .s
Jan 24th, 16:35
haha muscat is gimmick what about now? :) LOL
Mario Busuttil
Jan 24th, 09:52
An IPAD ....really ...good idea for children, is this to be kept at home too after school hours?.
G Caruana
Jan 24th, 09:51
Wouldn't 'a national strategy against illiteracy' mean less votes.
Max Portelli
Jan 24th, 09:49
Ma nafx jien... dan qisu Richard Sultana mill-Partit tal-Farfett qed jibda jinstema' issa... U t-tfal li qeghdin Year V u Year VI, u l-kumplament... dawn x'issir minnhom allura? Ma jahsibx li ser tkun daqsxejn diskriminattiva l-affari... Kif ghazel it-tfal tal-Year IV... Jien iktar qed naraha bhala "Jekk tivutawlna, t-tfal ha ntuhom tablet" milli kif qed jghid hu u l-MLP
A Zammit
Jan 24th, 09:49
Yeah giving a tablet to Year IV children improves IT literacy....my tax is going down the drain. I've heard way too much stupid proposals but this tops them all.
A note to the parties: if you want to improve KNOWLEDGE bring a foreign University department to Malta. If I want to follow a decent MSc course in say AI, Data Mining etc I have to go abroad and resign from my fulltime job.
Reuben Bezzina
Jan 24th, 09:49
Year 4 children are still toooo young for these gadgets...after 1 year the gadget is outdate. On which tablet was the sum calculated as I have doubts whether the above tablet brand makes €1.5m for 4000 pupils. Till now Labour is giving everything free (with private partnership, definitely no one is going to give anything free). Soon we hear labour offering free sandwiches to everyone.
Aaron Debattista
Jan 24th, 10:41
Absolutely wrong. I knew how to interact with a computer by the time I was 6, but I didn't learn it from school. I was learning from my cousin who would let me muck about a bit on his PC under supervision. Do not prohibit technology. Science is the only way society can move forward, and computer literacy can be achieved with this method more than using intimidating large-monitored terminals.
Reuben Bezzina
Jan 24th, 10:50
I'm not saying to prohibit technology, what I'm saying is that such gadgets aren't needed. Why don't they invest in better IT labs at school and these labs will be used by all students not only year 4 students. I think today everyone owns a PC at home.
B. Storace
Jan 24th, 09:48
You will not get very far UNLESS you give priority to and adopt the old and established policy of teaching all students to read and write in English over and above the mother tongue. It is pathetic how this skill, still found in natives above a certain age, has deteriorated to the point of illiteracy. IT skills go hand in hand with knowledge of the English language.
S. Calleja
Jan 24th, 10:00
Not just read and write, but speak English. I wouldn't expect the Queen's English, but a bit of an effort at a British accent won't be amiss.
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 09:46
Very smart.... Malta will be moving ahead finally. In Australia children are given a laptop in some secondary schools and the parents pay it off throughout the rest of their schooling years however they like. I love that idea.
S. Calleja
Jan 24th, 09:53
The difference is that in Australia, the parents pay for the laptop.
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 10:33
yes S. Calleja. And your point is? A laptop is way more expensive then a tablet and good on Mr Joseph Muscat for giving the children one for free. Why not?? Are you complaining cause finally something good is given to children to educate them more? Did you complain when you got your energy saving bulbs? Just remember one thing not every family can afford to buy 'each' of their children a tablet.
S. Calleja
Jan 24th, 12:11
Calm down Mr/Mrs Zammit. I'm not complaining, I was just highlighting something you yourself stated. Just to make it clear, Australia does not give free laptops/tablets to students. I know. I live there :-)
G Zammit
Jan 24th, 15:05
Mate i was born and bred there + did all my schooling in Aus till yr 12 :-) no they dont give them free but are paid with school fees.. but at a subsidised price also. But im sure no one would refuse them if they were given free.
Joseph Laus
Jan 24th, 09:46
Good news Now its Gonzi"s Turn to say either they gave that already or He will give that to year 3 and Year 4,,,School Children,,,,,wait and See ,
Thomas Anderson
Jan 24th, 14:16
You are a modern day Nostradamus my friend, how right you were!!!!
Aaron Debattista
Jan 24th, 14:57
I bow to you Joseph. You practically predicted the future.
D Mifsud
Jan 24th, 09:45
Tajba din ezatt bhal ma jamlu clubs tal football fin nurseries. Ikunu jridu tifel u jweghduh computer bix missieru jew ommu ikun jista jiffirmalu. U Dr Muscat qed iwieghed tablet ghal tfal ta form IV biex b gebla wahda jolqot zewg t ghasafar u jerbah l voti. U jek l labour ikun fil gvern nimagina li ha tibqa issir kull sena ux ek? Ma nafx nahseb li qed tigri qabel tlaqt timxi Joseph
R Mallia
Jan 24th, 09:43
Oh God, I hope he doesn't give the one in the picture as that would be used for games. At least give the MS Surface so they will have MS Office and they can do their homework on it.
Amante Reale
Jan 24th, 09:48
First of all, photos in articles are chosen by the Times. Second of all, any tablet can be used for games like any mobile or other hand held device. Third of all, it's easier to get games on non-apple tablets, because the iPad requires you to have an apple store account to download applications.
Get your facts right first, then comment.
S. Calleja
Jan 24th, 09:54
What's wrong with children playing games, as long as the games are mentally stimulating and non-violent? Isn't that how children learn best?
Luke Duncan
Jan 24th, 10:09
If I may ask Mr.Mallia. How many years of experience do you have on using IOS ?
R Mallia
Jan 24th, 10:16
I know you can turn other tablets into gaming devices but other devices (such as Windows Surface) can be used for work as well unlike the iPad.
And do you think its hard to create an Apple Account? I know what the iPad is as I own it, I use it just for browsing and emails but I can't work on it I need a Windows machine to do my job.
So stop being such a blind Apple fan and get your facts right.
R Mallia
Jan 24th, 10:19
@ Luke
I assume you are another Apple fan. I have the iphone and ipad, been using the iphone for 4 years and I will buy another iphone no problem.
The question is on Tablets. Not OS.. On a Mac OS you can work, on a MS Windows OS you can work. On IOS or Android , you can't do most work.
Chris Grillo
Jan 24th, 10:22
Your comments are so re-assuring.... It is clear you have not used a table like that shown in the picture (stock photo from the times)...
You might be surprised to learn that there are MS-Office compatible counterparts... but here's hoping we won't sink down to that level of bloated software!
B Bonello
Jan 24th, 11:05
Mr. Mallia,
Microsoft Office is soon going to be release for both IOS and Android tablets. So your problem would be solved. Apart from that I am sure that the tablet supplied would be an android tablet as the cheapest tablets on the market are in fact android since this OS is open source
Luke Duncan
Jan 24th, 11:27
I don't think that you have the same vision as people who pushed technology to their limits. People with the opposite vision of yours revolutionised technology and if it wasn't because of them we're always kept one step backwards (same as you're doing). Now'a'days university students use their tablets in order to avoid carrying a ton of books and notes and just have everything in a portable device
Luke Duncan
Jan 24th, 11:28
They also take notes on it and the teacher can share anything on the board by e-mail. I have done word processing on tablets,
I have read e-mails on tablets, I have read documents on tablets, I have edited photos on tablets.
And if there is something which at the moment cannot be done, we will find a way how to!
m Micallef
Jan 24th, 09:43
kollox mas settur privat ha jaghmel l labour party..kem sar jemen fih fdaqa wahda!
J Cassar
Jan 24th, 09:43
Whilst all of Europe is sinking, Malta has become the land of the freebies... We will catch up with you soon Europe... get your lifejackets Peeps cos we're going to drown very soon!
A Camilleri
Jan 24th, 10:06
There has never been an election before when both parties promise the earth to get our votes ........... And to hell with our taxes!!!!!! Who cares. It's the middle class that ends up paying them as those up there always manage to screw the Inland Revenue and those down there keep on screwing social services.
Please choose the reason of your report below: