Summer is over, autumn has started and, today, thousands of children will return to their desks at school for another academic year. For some, it will be the first experience at school, for others it will signify moving up from primary to secondary level, and for others it will be the last year of compulsory schooling – which means that they have the all-important examinations in May and June. At an even higher level, for some it will be their first year at Tal-Qroqq or Corradino, or the year that will lead them to the attainment of a degree.

A new scholastic year brings with it new challenges – for the authorities, for the teachers and for the students. We are a country that invests heavily in its education system, and we take pride in building new schools and opening up new opportunities for the younger ones. And, it must be said, over the past few years, more and more opportunities were created.

The University continues to expand. The Malta College of the Arts, Science and Technology continues to open up new courses. And, at the lower levels, the education sector is undergoing a reform which is aimed at providing an even better set-up in which our youngsters can develop their skills.

We have already moved to a college system which allows schools to manage their resources better. We are now also changing the transition period between Year Six and Form One to help reduce the stress that comes with examinations. The idea is to give value to each and every one of our young people.

The government’s pledge to build at least a new school each year continues to provide improved facilities. This year, two new schools will be opening their doors for the first time this morning – in Mosta and in Victoria. Over summer, many other schools underwent a much needed facelift.

Education is, however, not only buildings and equipment. It is having a strong administration base and a valid group of teachers and staff to run the schools. Even here, the government has invested heavily.

Of course, there are matters which need seeing to. The Malta Union of Teachers, for example, has pointed out shortcomings in staffing levels. With goodwill, this situation can be sorted out on the negotiating table. It must be remembered that the students should always be the first on the list of priorities, and should never fall victim to any dispute that exists between the government and the union.

On a different level, this week the government will be presenting scholarships to over 400 graduates who will seek to further their education by going beyond their first degree. High-quality postgraduate education is vital for Malta to increase its research and development programmes, develop new fields of academic study and upgrade the level of our skilled workforce.

It is with this in mind that, in 2006, scholarships started being offered to graduates who were interested in pursuing their studies. After a timid opening year, in which there were 33 students who took up the offer, the number has quickly climbed to the over 400 who will be getting their scholarship this week. It is yet another feather in the cap of the education authorities and, most of all, it is yet another investment in the future.

As engineer Mark Anthony Azzopardi told this newspaper’s Sunday sister, “by enriching individuals we are enriching the country”.