The main problem University students abroad come across is how they are going to fund their studies. Many of them, unless they have wealthy parents who can sustain their expensive education, have to work several days a week to be able to pay their dues. Most, if not all, have to leave their parental home to live on their own or in groups closer to campus, which of course adds to their financial burdens. Many also take a break from their studies for a year or two to save enough money with which to pay for their education. Abroad, students have always been in the forefront in public manifestations against government and authorities to protest about matters of national importance. They take the lead, others follow.

Malta? It's very different.

Here, the main problem Maltese University students face is where they are going to park their car, and many complain that they have a long walk from the parking space to their lecture room. They continue to live at their parents' house, where they do not have to bother with day-to-day expenses, including food. If they do find a part-time job, it is only to sustain their entertainment habits. Added to this, students in Malta get paid to take up courses at University, and this year we even had the government deciding to give them the opportunity to spend their money on whatever they want, rather than limit it to their educational needs. I'm sure many are using this money - paid by the taxes of workers - to fill up their car with fuel, spend nights out drinking and buying new clothes to show off on campus. Here, you only hear about protests from University students when somebody speaks against the stipends system.

The latest issue about parking on campus once again exposed how pampered our students are. It is no wonder then that when they eventually get their grades and graduate, they get the shock of their life when they find out that the workplace is not the same as the University lecture room - and that they have to work hard to earn their money.

But then, it is society in general - and mostly our politicians - who are at fault in this. The stipend system was, in principle, wrong from the start. But now it has become too ingrained in the minds of the younger generations to be removed. With all those getting a stipend having a vote - which is to be extended to 16-year-olds - any political party in government that decides to take away the comfort of this easy money is bound to suffer the consequences.

And so stipends are here to stay, and the amount taxpayers fork out each year continues to increase as the number of students at Tal-Qroqq grows.