In light of the recent news regarding the issue of the second call for the Master it! Scholarship Scheme applications, the Malta Learning Support Association (MLSA) would like to express its views on the terms and regulations of the scheme.
The association fails to understand why the call was open for Master’s “not exceeding the two-year duration”. Apart from conducting research for a degree, one also needs to read for it; hence, this is not always possible in a two-year timeframe.
Moreover, Maltese candidates who would like to further their studies do not have a wide choice of scholarships to choose from since the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS), which was open for Master’s courses “exceeding the two-year period” only offered scholarships to a limited number of 35 candidates out of about 289 applicants.
The Master it! objectives are quite solid; however, we feel that certain sectors and prospective candidates will always be at a disadvantage.
Let us take into consideration the education sector and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) who would like to further their studies.
Those in possession of a diploma are invited to apply for the scheme; nevertheless, most universities only offer the possibility to read for a first degree (by correspondence), spread over a two-year timeframe. On the other hand, the few LSAs in possession of a first degree can apply for MEd courses.
Most universities offer various opportunities, including MEd by correspondence spread over three years. Due to the nature of their work, they are bound to choose the latter mentioned courses and therefore cannot apply for the Master it! Scholarship Scheme.
The association would also like to highlight the fact that there are a number of LSAs in possession of a first degree (not in education) who, in contrast to the scale 10 salary paid to supply teachers in possession of a degree (not in education), are being paid scale 15 salaries and are currently reading for Master’s courses costing over €9,000.
Of course, they applied for the MGSS Scholarship Scheme but, being in competition with candidates in possession of MEds and PhDs did not help much. The association feels that government employees, such as LSAs, will always be at a disadvantage when applying for such scholarshop schemes, even though specialisation in inclusive education is among the priority areas of study on the social agenda.
The MLSA has a question to put forward: in a democratic country, is it possible to move up the academic and professional ladder if you are at the bottom and always being offered opportunities with candidates who are already at the top of their academic and professional career?
We hope this question does not change its status to a rhetoric one.