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5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author's view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action. IN comments about a European Parlia- ment Report on EU-US relations Labour MEP Alfred Sant expressed strong reserva- tions about the NATO-related content of the Report. On the other hand, he strongly agreed with the emphasis in the Report on EU and US shared values such as freedom and democracy. "Such emphasis however needs to in- creasingly take into account why in many regions of the world, the proclamation of EU/US shared values is considered as hypocritical because values are then ap- plied selectively", he claimed. Conversely, Sant expressed strong reservations with the NATO-related content of the Report. Sant noted that the EU and the US pos- sess distinct institutional and political structures. Each of these structures cover different competences and makes their alliance inherently asymmetrical. "In re- cent years, the asymmetry has been car- ried over to political stances, on security, environmental and global competitive issues." Over the past 70 years the strong EU-US transatlantic cooperation, partnership and friendship has contributed to Eu- rope's development, prosperity, and suc- cessful integration. In the Report several recommendations are brought forward on how the two continents can continue working to defend multilateralism, tackle global challenges and geopolitical reali- ties. Sant noted that it is imperative to ad- dress carefully and delicately issues of trust and reliability. Yet, at times the Report failed to do so, probably to cam- ouflage uncertainty as to whether the EU should unfailingly accept and follow US positions or whether it should assert a completely different stance, he argued. A case in point is the Report's treatment of relations with China where more nuance was indicated. Moreover, Sant emphasised his belief that the EU should not engage in defence affairs or commit to a defence union The Report was approved with 485 votes in favour including Sant's, 77 votes against and 70 abstentions. EU should not engage in defence affairs or commit to a defence union – Alfred Sant Alfred Sant said that the EU and the US possess distinct institutional and political structures CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A child-friendly version was al- so published. "We believed a document such as this needed to be draft- ed by stakeholders; you have the knowledge, the skills and, above all, the classroom experience of the classroom to know what is needed in the education system," Grima said in the presence of representatives from the Malta Union of Teachers, the Universi- ty of Malta and other stakehold- ers. Among the measures listed under the 'growth and empow- erment' pillar is further recogni- tion of arts as a specialised area of studies, the recognition of elite athletes' efforts in professional sport and a revised national cur- riculum to reflect the country's future needs. Another significant proposal is the reinforcement of the Maltese language as a core subject, which is viewed as a means to preserve local culture. The pillar for 'equity and inclu- sion' includes measures to reduce absenteeism and the assessment of foreign students for education- al background and socio-emo- tional health besides language skills. Under the 'wellbeing' pillar, the strategy is proposing mental health support for teachers. It also suggests students will spend more time doing physical activity at school, and parents will be en- couraged to participate more in school life. Educators will also be involved directly and regularly in policy development, while the adminis- trative burden on educators will be simplified and reduced. For students, the strategy pro- poses adopting a proactive ap- proach towards their ability to manage social relationships and more robust intervention servic- es related to mental health. Student Councils should move away from activity organisation as they are today and become "a true embodiment of a democratic process" advocating for environ- mental, social and good govern- ance goals. Another aim of the strategy is to narrow the learning gap at pri- mary school level and ensure that all students, irrespective of their economic, social and cultural background, possess a basic level of literacy. Another measure is to revise the inclusion model by introducing a class support system for students who have learning difficulties but are not entitled to a statement of needs. The strategy also pro- poses a more sustainable inclu- sion model following a thorough re-audit by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. The curriculum of learning support centres will also be revised. New strategy to focus on reinforcement of Maltese language as a core subject