“Following the MCESD report prepared by the National Competitiveness Working Committee, ADZ is of the opinion that investment in human resources and knowledge-based industries is not being given the same degree of importance as the technical and economic evaluations being drawn up by MCESD’s NCWC and the Chalmers committee which is also heading stipend reform,” said the ADZ executive committee.

In the coming weeks, ADZ will be addressing the proposals issued by MCESD. The organisation is committed to serve as a political voice for Sixth Form, MCAST, Junior College and university students and to defend their right to a stipend.

“The Nationalist government has not adjusted the university stipend in line with cost of living increases since 1998,” said ADZ.

“The assistance and support offered to the government by the student body back in 1997 and 1998 proves that it is time for promises to be upheld. ADZ is not prepared to let MCESD act as a veil for government’s attempts to curtail spending in the education sector, which at the moment constitutes one of the lowest rates of tertiary students.”