Education ministry denies Labour fees-for-teaching claims

GWU daily l-orizzont today quoted Bartolo saying Labour would oppose fees for students in vocational subjects.

“This government is introducing more educational services, more youths and parents are attending educational institutions and courses, and we have a record of enormous investment in education,” education minister Dolores Cristina said.

The minister said Bartolo as education minister had “forced” students to take out loans to finance the shortfall in university stipend cuts.

Cristina said it was untrue that Form 3 students faced a €133 fee for a three-your course, and said the payment is for exams offered by foreign institutions, while social cases get exemptions.

“Exam fees are paid to all institutions which offer certification, include the University of Malta and MCAST for their BTEC. These are fees have been in force for years.”