The GRTU said today it was disappointed that the Education Ministry had abandoned the Smart Card scheme and would be giving students financial grants directly into their bank accounts instead.
The GRTU said it shared the ministry's concerns about the problems of the Smart Card scheme as outlined in a report by the National Audit Office, but deciding to do away with the system as a whole defeated the purpose of the grant itself.
It recalled that it had argued against the unfair percentage fee charged on all transactions by the company administrating the scheme, as opposed to a flat rate transaction fee. Notwithstanding the GRTU said it was not consulted on the abolition of the scheme.
"We feel that the new system, as communicated last Saturday, can only increase instances of abuse. It lacks any kind of dissuasion or incentive for students to invest all the grant in items targeted at enhancing the students’ education. GRTU had insisted on the creation of a simple updatable database of items which a student would be allowed to purchase in relation to the programme of studies s/he would be following, similar to the list of books required. Unfortunately students might now be more inclined to spend the least possible amount of funds on their educational needs."
Amongst other things, the National Audit Office had reported that students spent part of their funds mostly on sportswear and fitness equipment, mobile top-ups, and other non-educational items but it also explained how the system could be improved including a recommendation to re-issue the tender.
"We will therefore be moving from a situation where we know how much money is being spent and on what to a situation where everything is a mystery. The new system will not keep track on what students spend the money on, as, so far, no real safeguards addressing this have been mentioned. We feel tax payer’s money deserves to be better accounted for," the GRTU said.
"In addition the new system will also continue to aggravate the situation we have with the evasion of Eco-Contribution when purchases are made online. GRTU is in no way against buying online as long as there is a level playing field where everyone competes fairly. Most students at some point or another buy laptops and other electronic devices such as notebooks, that are subject to Eco-Tax, a Maltese tax which is so far only enforced when purchases are made locally."
The GRTU urged Education Minister Evarist Bartolo to hold talks for an improved system that is effective, efficient and accountable.