The success registered by the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) can be gauged by the fact that the number of early school-leavers had fallen to 38 per cent in 2006, from 52 per cent in 2002 – a 14 per cent drop over four years, Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said yesterday.

Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the new Education Bill, Dr Galea explained that this would give a permanent legal structure to MCAST – much than the notarial deed that is currently in force. He said that the college is developing and will continue to develop to gain the stature of the university, although both have different characteristics.

The minister said that MCAST had to have an intimate relationship and close links with industry and the economy so that its students are well-prepared for the world of work. He said that the Board of Governors set-up was similar to that of the Commission for Higher Education.

Dr Galea pointed out that MCAST was subject to financial regulation, as were all public entities.

Labour Education spokes-man Carmelo Abela said that giving a legal basis to MCAST was a good step, as the vocational and technical sector was extremely important for the country’s educational development. He said that Parliament was sending a message that both sides of the House agreed on the way forward for this college.

Mr Abela said that although MCAST was a success, it was clear that the lack of trade schools, which were closed six years ago, was still being felt. He said the link between MCAST and the labour market was important and this was being felt by employers.

The Labour spokesman said that students from MCAST should have more input on the lines of the Kunsill Studenti Universitarju at the university. He also called for a stronger partnership between foreign colleges of a similar nature.

In reply, Dr Galea said that trade schools had caused a crisis in the educational sector that was further exacerbated by the closure of the Polytechnic. The former trade schools had also carried with them a stigma that they were inferior. There had been a substantial number of trade schools with very few students due to the rapidly worsening situation, as there was no technological innovation in these schools.

The minister said the government had re-invented the trade school system in the system at MCAST, with several colleges dealing with trades such as building and construction, art and design and engineering. He said that he was in agreement with the Opposition that the secondary school structure needed to be strengthened so that technical skills could be encouraged.

Dr Galea also spoke about the problem of apprenticeships, saying that the government wanted to solve this problem. He said that the system was confusing and needed serious rethinking.

On the subject of the Malta Qualifications Council, Dr Galea said that he also agreed that this should be reformed and he would be taking steps to ensure that this would happen.

The minister said that the MCAST population had grown immensely, with a capital investment over the past four years of Lm5 million.