A circular halting the stipends of students following O level revision courses at the Higher Secondary School has been withdrawn.

The Education Ministry said this afternoon the circular, dated October 1, had been issued behind the ministry's back and without political approval.

The ministry said it never authorised or was requested to authorise, the removal of stipends at any educational institution where a stipend was given.

It said it was investigating what led to the circular being issued.

Government policy and its mandate was to strengthen the stipend, the ministry said.

PN: GOVERNMENT STARTS PLAYING ABOUT WITH STIPENDS

The Nationalist Party said Education Minister Evarist Bartolo had been caught red handed trying to stop stipends for students who were following O level courses in post-secondary schools.

The minister had had no choice but to pull back after the strong negative reaction.

His original decision, the PN said, violated a PL pledge not to to touch the stipends.

This, it noted, was the second time in his political career that Mr Bartolo tried to reduce the stipends.

As had happened in a separate case this week, the blame was now being shifted to civil servants, even when it appeared that the circular was authorised by the Chairman of the Maintenance Grants Board, a political appointee and a person of trust for Mr Bartolo. 

 

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