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11 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 MARCH 2022 dent can work, and still be eligible for sti- pend will increase to 30 hours. Reading culture • Work is carried out on all of the coun- try's public libraries across the country. Spending will include improving the aes- thetics of the building, new books, interac- tive material and digitalization. • Modernization of libraries in class rooms, and more open library boxes and reading sessions. • Educational campaign for parents to encourage their children to read Inclusive Education • Strengthen the presence of psycholo- gists and youth workers in schools • Strengthen the Child Development Assessment Unit (CDAU)'s function by consolidating the services which will be offered, with the construction of a new building. • Occupational therapy provided by the CDAU will be extended to schools. Chil- dren will be offered the service within a school environment and not a hospital one • CDAU centre launched in Gozo to of- fer services which are only being offered in Malta • Resource centre at every college in Mal- ta and Gozo to better address the needs of disabled students Better opportunities • Now that obligatory attendance has reached pre-pandemic levels, more efforts will be made to address absenteeism • Childcare services, Klabb 3-16, and Skola Sajf will be extended. The same will happen with summer catch-up classes • Vocational programmes like the Alter- native Learning Programme and GEM16+ will be strengthened. • In collaboration with MCAST, evening centres will be opened as trade schools for secondary level Nationalist Party • The political strategy of the PN on education will incorporate the work, vi- sion and commitment shown by Church and Private schools in a national strategy which respects their autonomy • PN government will make invest to make obligatory even more accessible to children stemming from different so- cio-economic realities. • Improve substantially the work con- ditions of educators at all levels, which would in turn motivate other people to get into the sector • PN government will ensure a culture of respecting educators is built in the coun- try, where even the slightest abuse is not tolerated • Create innovative programmes, within the country/s obligatory education system, to prepare the country for its future needs • Introduce an system which integrates existing systems at state, church and pri- vate schools, to facilitate online teaching at primary and secondary schools • Introduce schemes to allow parents to deduct from taxable income, any educa- tion fees, payments for extracurricular as well as sport-related activities • Introduce a yearly grant of €300 to par- ents who send their children to extracur- ricular programmes at associations which are in line with ESG Strengthening education infrastructure • A framework will be introduced to ena- ble more LSE's to be recruited, with better conditions and more specialist training • A PN government will ensure that all schools have the necessary trained persons and facilities for children who have a med- ical emergency with limited delay • Widen the school lunch scheme at pri- mary and secondary schools • Encourage more physical activity, while providing students with more sugar-less food and drink • Drive and excel in digital skills at all levels of education to strengthen the coun- try's potential in the industry • Create a new framework for 'work- based learning' at secondary level so stu- dents with skills in the vocational sector can develop their talents, and after finish- ing obligatory education, can continue in a structured apprenticeship programme • Open a new secondary school in every year of the legislature • Widen MCAST's role in a number of programmes aimed at training skills relat- ed to new industries, sectors, trades and vocational skills • Create and carryout an excellence in apprenticeship programme, together with leading operators in the country to cre- ate opportunities who are more inclined towards a vocation rather than academia. Industrial operators who invest in the pro- gramme and are in line with ESG criteria will be given a fiscal credit of 200%. 35% of the engaged apprentices' salary will be paid out by government. Investment in industries of added value • Re-establish the Institute of Tourism Studies in the heart of the country's tour- ism hotspot – St Julian's • The National Aerospace Education Framework is founded to encourage young people to get into the aviation sector • Together with academic partners and stakeholders which invested in the mar- itime sector a PN government will create the Forum for Maritime Education and Training to provide professional training • Introduce the right for study leave dur- ing examination periods for persons in full time employment, while pursuing studies for qualifications at MQF level 5 or higher Better assistance to students • Increase student maintenance grants by 25% • Increase student stipends for students who carry out voluntary work with a regis- tered organisation by 25% • Students between the age of 16 to 21 will be given €500 vouchers for a sporting or cultural travel abroad • Strengthen the Get Qualified scheme to provide higher tax credits for courses at MQF Level 5 or higher • Offer funding for scholarships to Mal- tese as well as European students residing in Malta, to select institutions operating in Malta that are licensed by the Malta Fur- ther and Higher Education Authority. This financial assistance is granted equally and under the same conditions to all students regardless of whether they choose a gov- ernment or private institution. • Improve the tax rebate scheme to cover the following: Full 100% credit on programmes at MQF level 5 (Undergrad Diploma) to encourage more school leav- ers to update their skills and competenc- es beyond basic education, 85% credit for programmes at MQF level 6 (Bachelor's Degree), and 70% credit for post gradu- ate studies. The payment will be carried out in tax credits and applies to persons who are studying while in full time em- ployment Tertiary education • Create a financial structure to create a dedicated programme for investment in facilities, resources and programmes at the University of Malta, to make it a leading institution in the region. The investment will be part of a master plan on infrastruc- tural investments on the campus • Unite the academic and research out- put of MCAST and UOM to drive forward new economic sectors • Strengthen Further and Higher Educa- tion through a strategic plan so they can be the driving force behind the creation of local talent on which the new economic sectors will be created • Incentivise fulltime researchers who spend at least one-third of their working week teaching academia in higher educa- tion to benefit from reduced tax • Introduce a VAT rebate to compensate for the VAT paid by licensed educational institutions Talent Hub • Create a long-term programme for the internationalisation of Maltese talent • Promote lifelong learning as part of the country's social fabric • Open centres of excellence for sport, culture and music MCAST Gozo • Opening of new MCAST campus in Gozo, which will increase the number of courses offered in Gozo, as well as courses related to the PN's 10 new economic sec- tors • Gozitan students who pursue studies at Maltese institutions will be given addi- tional subsidies • Establish the ago-veterinary faculty for both Maltese and Gozitan students who wish to pursue the course • Gozitan youths will have the option of attending lectures virtually, or from the University campus in Gozo. Efforts will al- so be made to not have late lectures • Three new childcare centres in Gozo • Create a programme to incentivise the opening of language schools for adults and professionals in Gozo ADPD • More efforts will be carried out on early years education, which will include better conditions for educators, rationalisation of curriculum and the engagement of more male educators to help in breaking stere- otypes • A creative, critical and consultative process which would lead to pinpointing positive practices which were started dur- ing the COVID-19 pandemic • Investment in the psych-social area of the education sector Investment in education • It should be illegal for services offered to disabled children to be more expensive than services offered to other children and youths • Individualised educative plans which continue beyond the obligatory education age, and in continuity with it, will be in- troduced to prevent the significant work carried out in schools is not lost • Work conditions for educators should improved • The important work carried out by educators should be showcased to attract more people to the sector A curriculum with a wider vision • Curriculum should include critical thinking, and treat LGBTIQ+ families ob- jectively • Different religions should be taught together, and not having students split in different classes according to their beliefs. • More emphasis will be made on STEAM subjects • Schools should be given the necessary help to ensure security around schools buildings when children are arriving and leaving • Walking busses should be introduced to reduce dependency on cars • Before air conditioning is introduced in classes, a detailed study should be carried out to ensure schools are more comforta- ble for educators and students MCAST and UOM • In the coming years there should also be an emphasis on the green transition in all areas of study and in research on deliv- ering the Green Deal. MCAST shall devel- op into a Technical and Applied Sciences University as similar institutions in the Eu- ropean Union. • Student elections at all institutions should be revamped so they are truly rep- resentative of the whole student body • The appointment of the Rector of the UM and of the Principal of MCAST shall be through an election, with the eligible electors being all registered staff and stu- dents of these institutions • UOM and MCAST stipends should be increased gradually and overtime reach 50% of the minimum wage

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