Investing in education – Church and private schools get boost

In the course of this year, government has invested in a number of modern schools and facilities, including new boys' secondary schools in Ħal Kirkop, Ħandaq, Verdala and Victoria, a primary school in Pembroke, and a secondary school in Żokrija in Mosta. Work commenced on a girls' secondary school in Ħandaq, scheduled to admit its first students in the next scholastic year.

A new girls' secondary school in Ħal Kirkop and indoor sports facilities next to the secondary school in Santa Venera are aimed for 2012, at a cost of €9 million. Simultaneously, embellishment and maintenance projects are currently under way in other schools throughout Malta.

Turning to the educational system, Fenech explained how the transition from primary to secondary school has been revolutionised with the recent review of MATSEC, as well as the reform of special schools and the new National Curriculum. This evolution has been sustained by the latest in technological, creative and interactive equipment.

Investment has not been limited to State schools alone; this year the financing of Church schools has been increased to €45.2 million. In 2012, an additional one million euro fund will be set up to strengthen the sustainability of private schools.

This fund will apply for services related to software and IT licences; science and sports facilities; and in the professional development of teachers in private schools. It will be allocated to private schools according to the number or registered pupils in this way: €95 for every child in kindergarten, €145 for every pupil in primary school and €170 for every pupil in secondary school.

The allocation for those students who need a learning support assistant in private schools will be increased to €400,000. The maximum amount of tax reduction given to parents who pay school fees for their children will also be increased as follows:

• from €1,200 to €1,300 at the level of daycare, reception and kindergarten;
• from €1,200 to €1,600 at primary level; and
• from €1,600 to €2,300 at secondary level.

This initiative will cost €600,000 euro in total.

Referring to tertiary education, Fenech revealed that €22.3 million has been allocated to stipends received by 18,000 students at University, Junior College, MCAST, and ITS. A further €900,000 will be invested in scholarships.

Recurrent expenditure for University and Junior College for next year will increase to €58.2 million euro.  An additional €7.2 million has been allocated to improve the University's infrastructure through the construction of the new ICT faculty, and the Health Biotechnology facilities, among others.

The Old University in Valletta is currently being transformed into another University of Malta Campus, as an International School for Graduate Studies as well as a Centre for the study of performing arts.

Elsewhere, allocation for the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology stands at €15.4 million euro, in addition to the ongoing construction of a new MCAST campus in Kordin, which will cost €120 million.

Fenech announced a programme which will increase the accessibility to lifelong learning courses. This project will integrate learning by means of communication, e-learning, with traditional lessons and practical sessions, and is being implemented with an investment of €1.5 million.