Exam fee rise places new burdens on students' families - PN

PN Education spokesman criticises increase in Matsec exam fees. (Video by Ray Attard)

By increasing Matsec examination fees, the government has placed fresh financial burdens on students and their families, Oppositon education spokesman Joe Cassar said.

“Matsec needs money ring-fenced around it as it is a crucial education service,” Cassar said. “However, the money shouldn’t come out of the pockets of students and their families.”

The fee rise, announced on 14 October, means that O level fees have increased from €13.98 to €21 per subject, Intermediate exam fees have increased from €18.63 to €25 and A level exam fees have increased from €20.96 to €26. The registration fee has increased from €11.65 to €15, while the late application fee has increased from €46.59 to €70 and the very late application fee from €23.29 to €35.

A €10 fee has also been introduced for practical O level exams and a €20 fee for practical intermediate and A level exams. Previously, practical exam fees were limited to a €6.99 fee for science A level subjects.

Cassar said that parents with two children sitting for their O level and A level exams simultaneously will now have to fork out an extra €140.

Cassar also asked whether a social impact assessment study had been carried out to find out how these new exam fees will affect students, particularly those living in poverty.

“[Prime Minister] Joseph Muscat didn’t even have the decency to call a press conference to announce these fee rises as he did when the price of petrol went down by one cent per litre.”

PN candidate Justin Schembri added that this rise in exam fees has given students an indirect message that they don’t need to sit for all the exams that they’re studying for but only for the more "important" ones such as English, Maths and Maltese.