The increase in stipends announced in this week’s Budget is not enough to sustain students, according to Opposition education spokesman Joe Cassar.

On Monday the Government announced it would make good on its electoral pledge to bump up the payments to students through an annual increase based on the cost-of-living adjustment. Post-secondary students will receive a 1.9 per cent increase from January 2014, an average of €1.60 a month.

Dr Cassar, however, insisted that while the increase was not negative, it could be seen as negligible.

“One euro or so a month is too little for students who incur expenses during their studies,” he insisted, adding that his views were based on comments made by students on social media.

Despite this, many of the student organisations contacted by Times of Malta did not share his concerns.

While agreeing they would always welcome a larger increase, the majority of student groups felt the new measure ensured the funds reflected their daily needs.

A spokesman for the National Youth Council said that had the measure been introduced during previous legislations the amount would have already increased substantially.

“The increase may be slim now but it would have been welcomed a while back by all students,” he said, adding that any fears of the Labour Government removing stipends had been quelled.

The University Student Council also welcomed the system. The increase, it said, would ensure continuous access to free tertiary education and social mobility.

But Dr Cassar said the Budget presentation had raised doubts over the longevity of the stipends increase.

“Students are asking a lot of questions. It isn’t clear if these increases will continue or are a one-time deal,” he said.

An Education Ministry spokesman explained that stipends would increase every year based on a formula related to the cost-of-living allowance set by the Government and social partners.

There would be a number of other reviews, including an increase in stipends for selected courses overseas and stipends for those who repeat an academic year.

“We are revamping the whole system for the good of students,” he said.

Last year, members of the University’s lecturing staff had spoken out against the funnelling of funds into what they described as “often unnecessary” financial support.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dominic Fenech is among several professors who believe the money would be better spent investing in the University directly.

Prof. Fenech raised concerns that the University was not receiving adequate investment to perform in several areas.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering John Betts strongly agreed. He had pointed out that the University research budget amounted to €600,000, just two per cent of that spent on stipends.

“In the best of cases, the quality of degrees will fall drastically. In the worst, we will be reduced to a full theory-based, research-free institution,” he warned.