Speaking at the adjournment of the first parliamentary sitting yesterday evening, Mr Abela said that only if Maltese schools have to give more importance to sport can Malta ever dream of winning medals at sporting events such as the Olympic Games.

Mr Abela also praised shooter William Chetcuti for his outstanding performance at the Olympic Games in Athens last month.

Mr Abela also spoke about school transport during his address. He said it was unbelievable to see a large number of students waiting for the minibus or coach to take them to school at 6.30am when school starts at 8am. This is not acceptable, he said.

Referring to the magisterial inquiry into the operation of the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools, Mr Abela said the inquiry has been concluded and the report is now with the Attorney General Silvio Camilleri. He asked what is keeping the government from publishing this report as it did with other reports such as the one concerning the Eritrean illegal immigrants.

Regarding the university, Mr Abela spoke about the Lm10 fee which the university would be charging every graduate to cover expenses related to the graduation ceremony. This fee was later withdrawn, after Education Minister Louis Galea said that the university had not held any consultations prior to its introduction. Mr Abela said the minister had not intervened when the university started charging new students a registration fee.