Two degrees is all it takes

Things turn sour in Parliament on some days. Partisan politics gets the better of many of the honourable members and we go round in circles with wild accusations and pointless rhetoric, running a lot but achieving little.

Mr Bartolo is Minister for Education and Employment

Since Parliament went on cable and online, things have worsened because we now have an audience. It is, sometimes, a sad spectacle. When we are asked to decide on the future of our country, and the well-being of our children and children’s children, the scene is sometimes a petty squabble of the kind you would expect to find in the playground among eight-year-olds.

I do not want to suck out the aspirations of any young and ambitious politicians. There are many good days in Parliament too. In recent times, we have introduced a number of important and positive changes to make things in education a little bit better.

The introduction of a responsible homework framework policy, with guiding parameters of what should be expected from a student, is a significant change that will help children and young people lead better lives. The teacher will remain the ultimate judge of what is needed for that particular student; however, the framework aims to shape the thinking of homework provision. We want our children to be happy and refreshed at school. Playing a sport, falling in love with a musical instrument, enjoying drama and having the time to read a nice book should all be part of a child’s life.

Excessive pressures and demands lead nowhere. This is something that has been repeatedly mentioned by parents, and, more importantly, by the children themselves. Some might have expected them to say that they want no homework at all, but during consultation meetings, all they asked for was a better balance. They will tell you they are happy to do homework, but they must be sensible loads. I do not think that is an unreasonable request.

Another important step is the changes proposed for the University of Malta. The government has invested a lot in the University over the past five years, increasing its once-diminishing budget of €50 million a year to €76 million for 2018. When you add in capital projects and stipends, the investment of public funds is above €100 million every year. The proposals have very simple aims: a more open, democratic, student-oriented University of Malta that is geared towards the challenges of the future. Its autonomy has been strengthened considerably. In the proposals, the government no longer has the muscle to appoint a new Rector, or to hold a majority in the Council. The influence of students has been increased throughout, including