Maltese political leaders proudly claim that we have one of the best education systems in the world as we offer free education for all and even pay students a stipend. Yet there are clear signs that the educational achievements so far are not quite satisfactory.
We have the worst achievement records in the EU for secondary school students, we have one of the lowest proportions of students that take up tough courses like science and engineering, and we rank low in the list of those countries that invest in research and development.
What most objective education and economic analysts find unacceptable is that so far no studies have been conducted that explain why our education system is not producing the results that it needs to. The European Commission has often pointed out that such a soul searching study should be the starting point for a root and branch reform of our education system.
One aspect of our education system that needs a thorough review is the financing model that is being used to keep our University functioning. The main political parties are in agreement, at least in public, that they have no plans to introduce tuition fees for University students. In fact, we are now even attracting foreign students to our shores not so much because of our educational excellence, but because students from other EU countries can also benefit from our free university system.
There are some lonely but valid voices that are clearly stating that our university funding model is no longer fit for purpose. Unless we face this challenge we risk sinking deeper into educational mediocrity.
At the opening of the current academic year the University rector clearly stated that the University needs more financing for both capital and recurrent expenditure. He went further and proposed a scholarship scheme for Maltese undergraduates to ease the pressure on funding caused by non-Maltese EU students.
The Rector said: “While treating all EU nationals who are ‘established residents’ of our island equally, we would be in a position to charge fees to all non-residents be they from the EU or otherwise.” It would be interesting to know what the education authorities think about this proposal which could provide a partial solution to the current problem of under-funding.
The inadequate funding of the university system is also affecting the ability of Maltese graduates to engage in more research and development projects. The European Parliament has voted €80 billion for research and innovation, but Malta still badly needs to invest more in R&D to hit its 2020 targets. Part of the funding needed for such investment in R&D can come from EU funds but this will never be enough.
Our political and education authorities need to engage in a serious soul searching exercise to identify the weaknesses in our education system with the aim of coming up with lasting solutions. Continuing to promise free education for all without a proper long-term financing plan is a ruinous strategy that will put at risk our future economic growth.
Our public finances, while showing some signs of improvement in recent years, are still under strain because the long-term issues of pensions’ reform, and the financing of our free health and education system remain largely unaddressed.
Starting with a reform of our University financing model could be a first step to build confidence and momentum in the ambitious process of making our welfare state sustainable.