[WATCH] Gonzi's reaction to Labour utilities plan, guarantees stipends

€152 million in stipends paid to students during the past five years will continue to be paid out under a new Nationalist Party-led government, Prime Minister and PN leader Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.

Despite the international crisis and constant pressures for a spending review, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told voters in Naxxar today that his government refused to reduce a cent from paying out stipends to students.

"I refuse any suggestion to slash stipends," Gonzi told his audience, adding that his government considered students just like all parents cherish their children.

He said that any voter who on March 9 will have to chose who should be trusted to lead the nation for the next five years, must take a look at a PN-led government's track record in the education sector.

"What we did, makes me proud," Gonzi said, adding that should he be confirmed in office, education will continue to be a strategic pillar for his government.

The Prime Minister said that over the last five years, a total of €152 million in stipends to students have been paid, while more millions were invested in the construction and development of new schools, and the modernisation of the sector.

Stressing that the decisions concerning education were based on what the country will be offering the young over the next years, Gonzi said that thanks to economic expansion, a number of new and strategically important sectors have become important pillars of the economy, namely financial sector, digital gaming, pharmaceutical and engineering.

"This is where 20,000 new jobs have been created," the Prime Minister said.

Education minister Dolores Cristina, also announced that she will be presenting the revised curriculum framework in the coming weeks.

Speaking during a PN activity at Villa Arrigo this morning, the outgoing education minister who is ending her political career, said that the revised curriculum, will enhance the a PN-led government's vision for an all inclusive education system.

"A solid future for our youth, must also include social development," Cristina said, adding that the revised curriculum she will be announcing, is the result of four years of hard work.

 "Education is there for all, and not just youths. We all have a future, irrespective of our expectations in life," she said, adding that while early school leaving remains an issue to be addressed, government has targeted this sector, and created specialised schools, focusing on their skills and ambitions.

Cristina also announced the imminent launch of the Academy for Arts which is aimed to absorb youths who are good at arts, and have a potential to develop careers in arts.

"A silent revolution has taken place. We have brought about a cautious change, without causing any earthquakes. We all know what Labour's education policies were, and the long-term effects they left," Cristina said.