Labour leader Joseph Muscat has expressed concern over the uncertainty faced by many young people following the suspension of funding allocated to Malta for EU educational programmes.

Dr Muscat said at a meeting with the new executive of the National Youth Council that this issue needed to be resolved as quickly as possible so that no one lost opportunities.

He insisted, however, that whoever was responsible needed to shoulder his responsibility. Accountability needed to be taken seriously.

Dr Muscat described the council's programme as 'ambitious' and noted that it included plans for a conference on youths and poverty and a policy on the sexual health of youths. He said he was concerned that four out of every 10 youths did not study beyond secondary school and that 22 percent of children were living in poverty. He said that a link could exist between poverty and education standards.

Dr Muscat was accompanied by party youths spokesman Owen Bonnici.

See also

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100518/local/ksu-concerned-over-suspension-of-eu-student-programmes-authorities-were-warned-in-august