Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528842
5 BUDGET2025 OPINION maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 NOVEMBER 2024 Quality in education and sport PRESENTING the 2025 budget, the Min- ister for Finance was unequivocal: this budget is a strategic step toward building a quality-driven nation, with a particular emphasis on strengthening one of the cornerstones of Malta's economy - edu- cation. Every sector, especially education, must continue aligning with this vision to foster a society equipped to meet future demands. The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation re- mains committed to raising education- al standards to new heights. European countries are increasingly competing to attract top talent and the most highly educated individuals; Malta must rise to this challenge and secure its place among these leaders. The economy of the future will be powered by advanced technology and modern engineering. To position Malta as a centre of excellence, we need the brightest Maltese and Gozitan minds contributing to these fields. Our role is to provide them with the resources and opportunities necessary to grow, both within Malta and on the global stage. Quality, therefore, is inseparable from education, and this Government has consistently prioritized and invested in it. This budget further reinforces that commitment. With an unprecedent- ed allocation of €1 billion, it marks the largest investment ever directed toward the Ministry, underscoring a bold step forward for Malta's educational and economic future. Our youth are more future-ready than we may realize, equipped with the resil- ience and adaptability needed to thrive. To support their success, we must con- tinue investing in measures like re-skill- ing, up-skilling, and other vital social initiatives that help build a prosperous future for all. This year, more than ever, we demon- strated our commitment to educators through a landmark sectoral agree- ment with the Malta Union of Teach- ers, which has substantially improved working conditions for 8,600 educators. They now benefit from an enhanced salary package, alongside allowances and retroactive pay starting from Janu- ary 1, 2023, delivering on our promises to elevate the teaching profession. On another front, Malta is launching an ambitious and comprehensive Vi- sion 2050—a blueprint for the nation's strategic development in the coming decades. With a core focus on improving qual- ity of life for all citizens, this vision ad- dresses key pillars of economic, social, and environmental progress, with spe- cial emphasis on digital innovation and education. By concentrating efforts in these crucial sectors, Malta aims to se- cure a brighter, more sustainable future for current and future generations. As outlined in the recent budget speech, the definition phase for Vision 2050 is slated for completion by the end of the first quarter of next year, with foundational work already underway. As a government, we firmly believe that a high-quality educational system is not just a source of skilled labour but a foundation for shaping conscientious, values-driven citizens who champion sustainability. Our goal is to equip every student with skills not only for the pres- ent but for the challenges of tomorrow, empowering them to realize their full potential. The educational transformation we are pursuing has deep roots; it is the outcome of two years of dedicated ef- forts to implement key initiatives from both our electoral manifesto and recent budgets. This progress has led to the establish- ment of a robust strategic framework, which includes the National Education Strategy, the Early School Leaving and Training Strategy, and the Lifelong Learning Strategy, to name just a few. Each of these initiatives underscores our commitment to an education sys- tem that serves as a cornerstone of Mal- ta's vision for the future. The Ministry will continue its dedicat- ed investment in the sport sector, driv- en by the belief that sports and physi- cal activity are essential to personal and holistic development. Recognizing the profound impact of sports on both mental well-being and physical health, we remain committed to making physi- cal exercise accessible and promoting it as a lifelong habit from an early age. In recent years, sport in Malta has been elevated to a priority status at multiple levels. The Government is steadfast in its commitment to advancing this sector, ensuring continued growth and suc- cess through targeted infrastructure enhancements and direct support for athletes and sports enthusiasts. Our goal is to continue to establish world-class sports facilities that meet international standards, creating spaces where all individuals can pursue their athletic aspirations and contribute to a healthier, more active nation. By CLIFTON GRIMA, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation