The Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM), has recently been made aware - by students attending the University of Malta Junior College - of certain unjust actions being carried out by the College administration.

"This relates to the College student card, which is a means of identification requested upon entry to the College grounds and which is, in essence, a paper card containing an image and identifying information which is then laminated," an SDM statement read

"The College administration has recently instructed security to confiscate the cards which are 'damaged' telling students to pick their card up from the administration office. When students do pick up their card, they are requested to pay the fee of €12 which is usually required for a replacement card when the original has been lost, the same fee which has recently been increased from €5."

SDM noted that the administration has also recently taken the stance of strictly refusing entry to students who do not present their card, "even when if it has been genuinely forgotten and as such without this document these students cannot attend any lectures."

"After seeking clarification with the administration as to this development, we were informed that this requirement regarding damaged cards was introduced on the 29th January 2018 through a notice in the official student Newsletter. We find it completely unacceptable and unjust that students have to pay €12 to essentially re-laminate their student cards, a process which undoubtedly carries only a minimal cost for the College. We cannot see any other reason for this new rule, other than for the college to profit on the backs of students, the same students it should seek to serve. These students are forced to pay this fee from their stipend, and what further makes this system unjust is the fact that their education is tied to this payment as without this card they cannot enter the College grounds and effectively are barred from getting their education.  The education of such students is, therefore, being attached to a payment."

"We must also point out that these 'damaged' cards have damage which is essentially only the result of regular wear and tear. No one can reasonably expect a laminated paper card to withstand daily use without showing any signs of it, even more rugged, hard-wearing cards such as I.D. cards and bank cards show signs of wear and are not used as frequently as these Student I.D.s. We understand the need to have the document in a decent condition but completely condemn this development and strongly urge the administration to offer the service at a reasonable cost or for free if it insists on the rule. In the meantime, we urge students whose cards might be showing some signs of wear to re-laminate it themselves as soon as possible. We would also like to announce that we will be offering the service of a laminating machine in our office for free. Interested students are kindly requested to contact anyone from our Junior College executive team and arrange an appointment to have the re-lamination done."

"While we respect and understand that these cards need to be in an ideal state, we urge both the College Administration and relevant authorities to see that a certain degree of proportionality is respected."