Students need a new beginning, a new plan that will give new energy and impetus to our education. Students want to see a change because they know that the only way forward is a change. Isn’t this the message being presented by Labour, or at least wasn’t this Labour’s message before students dared to raise their voice against Dr Sant?

Since the now infamous debate what have we heard from Labour as regards students? Have we heard about Labour’s plans as regards stipends? Has Labour made any concrete black on white proposals regarding the university? And on education as a whole, what has Labour proposed apart from a repeater class and a new Junior College for those living in the north lest they should mix with the crowd from the south? Once again Labour’s programme is dry to put it mildly when it comes to students.

Not so, however, Labour’s rhetoric on students. The terms uttered by Labour in reference to students have varied from corma hamalli to other compliments such as stupidi, baxxi, oxxeni and of course faxxisti. One Television, One Radio and l-Orizzont have harped on and on, continuously going on the warpath against students. This is what Labour has been saying to university students. That students are nothing more then a corma hamalli and so by the same token if students are a corma hamalli in Labour’s eyes, are students worth investing in?

The attitude shown by the PN contrasts sharply. The government under Lawrence Gonzi has continued to increase investment in students. MCAST, ITS and the university have all greatly benefited from the PN government. And more is on the way. Contrary to Labour, the PN has shown a positive attitude; one which has a positive vision, which appreciates the value of students.

The choice is clear for students. On one side a government which sees students as nothing more than a corma hamalli and on the other a government which appreciates the value and importance of students and is ready to continue investing in this vital sector.

Angelo Micallef

Marsaxlokk