Above all, at the university and technical colleges, students had a very special offer, that is (if they finished their course) that they had the promise of a job.

Tony Abela obviously does not remember this in his article. To him, it’s only numbers that are relevant. Let me also remind him that today we have these numbers at university mainly due to the financial backing started by the Labour government.

Regarding the 20-point system requirement to enter university, it’s simple. The allotment of those 20 points was the responsibility of the student’s employer (called by the disparaging term “sponsor”). The employer assessed the diligence, dedication and practical knowledge of the student during the work phase. This was not enough, however. He or she also had to be judged for academic qualifications in ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels without exceptions.

I challenge Dr Abela to mention one single student who entered university without the required academic qualifications because he or she was a “party guru or a member of the MLP.” This is shameful, cheap, propaganda, which unfortunately has been going on without any reply.

Regarding Dr Abela’s allegation that the Labour administration was accepting students at university on account of political allegiance, may I call on him to carry a simple survey of the present university teaching staff and look for lecturers who were known PN sympathisers, ex-PN candidates, MPs, party officials, ministers, journalists who simply wrote articles in favour of the PN and against the MLP. While at it, he may also look at appointments of chairmen, directors and consultants in public corporations.

I’m not saying that the university of Malta has all its professors and lecturers in this category. In fact, many of them have no open political allegiance.

Tony, I suggest to you and your government to take a look at those 2,600 new graduates and see how many of them are going to find it difficult, if not impossible, to find a job related to their profession – how many of them are going abroad, mostly to the UK (a brain drain), and also how much each student has cost the country.

This will surely make an interesting and useful exercise since local job opportunities at higher levels of education both in Malta and, ironically, also in the EU countries, are not enough to fulfil the needs of our graduates. In short, we have to channel our human resources according to our needs and the country’s financial situation.

Finally, I wish my honorary friend to tackle the country’s present huge problems like the financial deficit, irregular immigration and the present poverty. Since he has proven himself so good in raising funds for his party, I hope he will do the same for the country.

Dr Philip Muscat is a

former Education Minister (MLP)