I thoroughly enjoyed reading Malcolm Vella’s rant on the new stipends system introduced a few weeks ago (TMIS, 9 October). In his emotion-filled letter one could truly see the mindset of this Maltese student, all arrogance and egoism! Last Sunday this young man challenged all readers of your newspaper to “ tell me if they were in the shoes of these students who have had their stipends reduced whether they still agree with Dr Lawrence Gonzi and Minister for Education Dr Louis Galea.” And the answer is yes, I do agree! In fact it is one of the few decisions taken by present administration that I have agreed with!

The stipend system was changed to help encourage students to study in those fields, which, in the long run, will benefit our beloved country and hopefully help spur the economy on to a sustainable future. In other words, there is a surfeit of lawyers, accountants, and so on, in Malta! Additionally, these are jobs that do not stimulate our economy but feed off it instead… whereas what is really needed is something that will bring money into the country, much like many IT Consulting/ development countries are doing... providing IT solutions and entering into contracts with companies abroad thus bringing in foreign money into our economy. Now, as a commerce student I am sure Mr Vella appreciates the fact that this statement is valid and true, thus justifying Dr Gonzi’s and Dr Galea’s decision in the reviewed stipends system.

One other small point that caught my attention was the wonderful statement Mr Vella made: “All this is unjust, especially as I signed for a Lm54 stipend like many others and not Lm36. Where are our rights? Are we being treated like adults or like children?” Unjust? Rights? Excuse me? When did a stipend become a right? It is a privilege that we have been lucky enough to receive, but that is it! An adult would surely understand this.

And since when do we sign on for a stipend... it sounds like Mr Vella is only going to university because he is receiving money to go! What a difference to those students who spend their days studying at university to have a chance for a better life, while working till the early hours of the morning in all sorts of different jobs just to make ends meet!

I also applauded the new scheme as the stipend money will now be routed into the hands of those who need it with the introduction of the means test. Finally, social justice is being served!

I would just advise anyone who does have a problem with the new system, to speak to citizens of other European countries such as the UK, to truly learn what it means not to have access to tertiary education, having to pay for tuition, accommodation, books, and other living expenses.

Wesley Ellul