GUG comments on the 2019 Budget

As the 2019 Budget was announced, the Gozo University Group would like to comment on several initiatives in regards to all students, Maltese and Gozitans alike.

The GUG believes that an increase in students’ stipends is going to be beneficial for all students. This will help cover the expenses that the student has in pursuing his/her education. Also, the fact that from next year, 14and 15-year-olds along with fulltime students above 20 years old, will enjoy a free public transport will help more students economically who have to travel daily to school. It would be ideal also, though, that the means of public transport is improved as well so that it is more accessible and reliable to be used.

One of the major announcements during the 2019 Budget was that as from next year, Matsec and SEC exams are to be free. This is a major step ahead towards the improvement of the education sector in the Maltese islands. The Matsec and SEC exams will no longer be a financial toll for some students and their families who find it difficult to pay for these exams.

As a Gozitan student organisation, GUG believes that an increase in the subsidy given to Gozitan students residing in Malta is going to ease some of the financial burden that the said students spend on accommodation, along with other expenses. This is possible under certain conditions.

The GUG wished to also see more about the Gozo University Campus budget, since it has been a while that a refurbishment was mentioned. If this campus is to be used, the environment needs to be an adequate and suitable one.

The GUG thinks that the 2019 Budget has improved the education sector along with students’ quality of living. Investing in students’ well-being will also render beneficial to the state in the near future.