Education Minister Evarist Bartolo made it amply clear that educational institutions planning to set up shop in Malta are not coming to compete with the University of Malta while assuring that no amount of cash will set the ball rolling for these investors, no matter how much they invest, qualities will.

Speaking during a session of Gvern li Jisma, he said that any foreign university which wants to set up shop in Malta or Gozo must prove to us that it has good educators, a good quality curriculum and fine educational programmes, among other factors. If not, they will not be granted a licence.

“We won’t give in to investors who don’t have these qualities. We won’t lower our educational standards,” he assured.

Local students have University of Malta, Mcast to turn to

He said local students have the University of Malta and Mcast to turn to and foreign educational institutions which open up here would primarily focus on foreign students.

In this context he said that local institutions should also be competitive to cater for foreign students as well.

Mr Bartolo explained that around 4.5 million international students study in universities in campuses in their home country and we would like to attract a couple of thousands of those 4.5 million to study here, he added.

Soft drinks will be banned from school canteens

As from the next scholastic year, the minister said that soft drinks will not be available for students at school canteens anymore. He explained that children were having dental problems at a very young age.

Encouraging students to read during the summer months

On a different note, he said the government is to embark on a campaign to encourage children to read books during the summer holidays so what they learnt before the summer won’t be lost.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius said that works are to be done on the Marsa horse-race course while works are under way on the Birzebbuga waterpolo club. He said work was also conducted on the national pool at Tal-Qroqq.

MCST chairman and former PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and the president of the Aquatic Swimming Association Joe Caruana Curran were also present for today’s ‘A government that listens’ session.