Bartolo’s ‘alarmist’ comments undermine political consensus on education – PN

Nationalist MP Joe Cassar has called for a "mature" discussion on the national strategy for education as he criticised the "alarmist comments" made by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo.

During Friday's launch of the national strategy, Bartolo warned that the country risked facing a "crisis of skills" if the education system failed to provide students with the necessary skills that make them employable.

"Bartolo's comments undermine the political consensus on education. It greatly contrasts with the policy's framework which is a continuation of the work carried out in the past years," Cassar said.

The former health minister said Bartolo's political message was the education system was in a crisis and that the situation was worrying.

Cassar said such a statement was surprising, given that the strategy framework committed itself to build and strengthen the successes of the past.

"The PN agrees that the country must continue moving forward, acknowledging the challenges of today's competitive and ever-changing world. But it is worrying that the minister is scaring parents into thinking that their children are not receiving adequate education," he said.

Cassar urged Bartolo to continue building on the good of the past that saw an 82% rate of youth continuing studying, strengthening courses and working with the private sector.

The MP said Bartolo was panicking because the rate of youth unemployed has reached 15% and of failing to making use of EU funds to train youths seeking employment.