A measure to encourage students to try again after failing their exams has kept over 5,000 students in post-secondary and tertiary education since it was introduced in 2013.

The aim of the measure was to help students following an academic setback. Conditions were imposed, and those not attending class or not sitting for examinations were not eligible for a stipend in their repeating year.

The measure was first introduced in 2013 for students at sixth form level in the Budget but was soon extended to university students.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, replying to a parliamentary question by MP Byron Camilleri, said that between the 2013/2014 academic year and 2017/2018, a total of 4,832 had already availed themselves of the opportunity to continue studying, with a further 651 receiving the stipend this year.

The stipends cost the government just over €3.1 million, just over €560 per student.

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