The PN will continue investing tens of millions of euros in education during the next legislature, focusing on giving youths more opportunities to study abroad and creating better jobs in Malta.
Addressing a press conference on education – the PN’s theme for the sixth week of the electoral campaign – Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said almost 2,000 scholarships were awarded to students to further their education in the past five years, and another PN government would provide 3,000 scholarships.
Stressing that the PN has always been the party of education and opportunities, Dr Gonzi said it wanted to build on its success by injecting a substantial part of the €1.12 billion in EU funds in education.
“We already know that in the next five years we will build a new school every year, complete a €120 million new Mcast campus and build adequate facilities for the expansion of the Institute of Tourism Studies.”
Dr Gonzi said plans are also in an advanced stage to set up a €2 million annual fund to be used by private schools so they can continue to invest and upgrade their facilities, without needing to increase fees.
The PN leader gave details of various proposals for the educational sector in the electoral manifesto, including expanding the University campus, building new facilities at the Gozo sixth form, an increase in stipends through an adjustment to the cost of living and crediting National Insurance for young people who keep studying.
Other initiatives include the use of tablets for educational purposes in all schools, childcare facilities for parents who want to study further and an expansion of after-school facilities.
Meanwhile, Dr Gonzi received an enthusiastic welcome by hundreds of sixth formers during a visit to the Junior College in Msida.
College ethics was the last thing on the students’ minds as they applauded and chanted “Gonzi, Gonzi”, while the Prime Minister was being shown around by the college principals.
Dr Gonzi also spent some time at the students’ canteen, sipping coffee and chatting with many youngsters about their studies and their plans for the future.
The Junior College currently hosts 2,600 students.