Environment and the state of affairs within the education sector, both intimately linked and both being the kingpin of development in the EU, have evolved into a top priority in the country’s agenda. We have witnessed some significant strides in both. But no PN propaganda machine or GonziPN cliché will ever hide the crude reality of Malta’s poor performance in the EU league tables.
The facts speak for themselves. Malta’s literacy rates are at an all time low in the last decade or two and the ever-increasing alienation of students from the education system is culminating in increasing student frustration and violent attacks on disgruntled teachers. Concurrently, the PN’s green credentials have never reached such abysmal lows as unmasked by Labour just before the election, not to mention the complaints of many others, individuals and NGOs alike, several months if not years before 8 March.
Some would argue that the direct responsibility borne by GonziPN for the state of decline within these two essential sectors stems from the PN laissez-faire style of government that has systematically brought about an erosion of morality within Maltese society. Many people I meet talk far from highly about successive PN administrations efforts in uprooting corruption, and the same individuals observe that there is too much dragging of feet when it comes to securing the interests of the whistleblower or protestor.
A Labour government was not elected but few would disagree that voters have also sent a clear message to GonziPN to change its ways. Yet, when push comes to shove, Dr Gonzi keeps ignoring the signals given by the electorate. Rather than disowning those responsible for squandering or appropriating public funds, we hear that those undeserving of retaining their ministerial post will be financially rewarded. Doesn’t it sound like a moral downturn?
Take education. After 20 years of Nationalist administration we are faced with one of the highest early school leaving rates across Europe. As Dolores Cristina (an ex-teacher thankfully) takes up the education ministerial portfolio, she must be more than aware that parents and teachers remain in the wilderness with regards to the full extent of the implications that should result from a hastily introduced public college system.
Her predecessor may have done some commendable strides forward in terms of upgrading school infrastructure but few would disagree that Dr Louis Galea has failed miserably where it matters most – the real subject matter of education – implementing what has by now become an outdated National Curriculum.
Education reform, my foot! Some observers were prompt to remark about one of the ironic twists that emerged from the 8 March poll – that the same person who was irresponsible enough to rubbish Labour’s reception class proposal into a so-called “repeating class” was himself ultimately destined to fail no other than the electorate’s test.
What about the PN’s bulwark in education, the university? Beyond all the hype about the massive financial investment in Malta’s topmost prestigious educational institution Malta’s performance at pre-graduate, graduate and post-graduate level still leaves much to be desired. May the number of students at university increase ad infinitum but the least our students deserve is being taken for a ride. What about a quality education for all, ensuring a fair distribution of graduates from a wide spectrum of specialisations, and that economic growth is such that highly qualified people find the right niches once they reach the job market? After all the propaganda and the 300 or so pre-electoral pledges we all expect GonziPN to keep its word and achieve. Or shall we be dealt with a raw deal?
In the case of the environment, we have just experienced this legislature’s first U-turn. The government’s lack of commitment couldn’t have been better manifested than when it reversed its decision on the purchase of eco-friendly white goods.
Meanwhile, the Tuesday recycling bag scheme has finally been launched, although with many gaping holes and after so many setbacks. Labour was prompt to express itself in favour of the scheme and we encourage the public to collaborate in full. What are we to expect on promised important environmental projects, particularly in the implementation of the right policy strategy to enable a nationwide shift towards a more sustainable energy mix in the short to medium term? In its hope to have something to boast about on improvements in energy efficiency for example we sincerely augur this frail and fragile GonziPN government comes up with some brighter ideas than simply revising utility surcharges upwards.
We expect the government to pull up its socks and start implementing the National Sustainable Development Strategy proposed action plan at the earliest, coupled with tangible decision-making on the impacts of climate change. GonziPN should realise that the people are no longer impressed by “national” committees whose members are hand-picked by the Environment minister from the PN’s pantheon of “experts”, to report to us what the government wants to purvey. The electorate has shown it is distrustful of such conceited antics. We want boards and committees, not least the ones at MEPA, that are truly “national” and represent the voice of the majority of the people, made up of real experts who can examine the complex nature of environmental impacts resulting from development and economic growth, and nonetheless global climate change. But rather than tackle the real issues, so far it looks as if the PN administration rests on more alienation and keeping blue-eyed boys happy.
As the gap in environmental action and educational standards between our country and other EU countries widens, Malta continues to fare badly in EU statistics. While other European nations steadily move forward and seek new ways to contribute in solving upcoming global problems by involving one and all irrespective of political convictions, GonziPN apparently remains in pre-8 March business-as-usual mode – placing the interests of a few tal-qalba comrades from within the PN’s inner circles before anything else. It doesn’t matter if it’s education, the environment or whatever.
Roderick Galdes is Labour’s spokesman for the Environment and National Heritage