Recently, Europe has seemed to be on fire as students protested against austerity measures, a reduction in education funding, an increase in university fees, gross unemployment, especially among young people, and changes in social benefits. These demonstrations have taken place in quite a few European cities, which have also seen clashes with officers of the law.
The demonstrations by our young people are different. They are solely related to celebrating their graduation having successfully completed their studies at university, MCAST or ITS – where they do not pay any fees but actually receive stipends, thanks to the investment in education by the Government. No fewer than 24,900 students are continuing with their post-secondary studies while attending these three institutions and Junior College. This figure is 5,000 higher than in 2008. The PN administration awarded 2,000 scholarships at a cost of €19m, while 18,800 students benefit from stipends, which total €23m.
Considering what has been done by the present administration for our young people in various important sectors that affect them and their future, one quickly understands why our youngsters did not take to the streets for any reason other than to celebrate their successes. We can boast of the achievements of our young people because the government has invested in them and given them a great many opportunities. The government builds a new, well-equipped school every year; it has launched the first National Sport School and soon it is going to introduce an Academy of Arts.
We have introduced a large number of opportunities for our young people and given them the necessary tools to succeed and these incentives and opportunities are the result of investment, thanks to our financial stability.
We believe in our young people
A few figures will suffice. As many as 83 per cent (twice the number recorded in 1999) are continuing their studies after reaching Form 5; 80 per cent of a total of 7,300 sat for and passed the SEC exam; 82 per cent speak English (the highest in Europe who speak a second language); 97 per cent have access to the internet from their home; 86 per cent describe themselves as being satisfied and happy; 80 per cent are motivated to further their studies and to work; 74 per cent feel physically fit; 90 per cent have never done drugs and 85 per cent are satisfied with contemporary society.
Malta has the fifth lowest rate of unemployed youths in the EU 27, while we are second in the success of graduates finding jobs. We have drafted a National Employment Strategy for Youths and we have introduced an apprenticeship scheme that gives financial incentives to employers and students, as well as yet another important scheme that encourages youngsters to enter entrepreneurial projects and a bill aptly called the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
The National Youth Policy was reviewed in 2009. Subsequently, Agenzija Zghazagh was set up followed by the launching of the Youth Information Portal, which was described by the EU as a good practice in youth work. Agenzija Zghazagh also partnered other organisations in setting up kellimni.com, a site that offers counselling online through emails, chat or forum that has become very useful to our young people.
Empowering our young people
We are also offering youth empowerment programmes which provide possibilities for direct social participation through local and national projects. It means youth participation in formal and informal decision-making, but also the participation of young people in society through access to education, employment and health as well as to resources. Empowering young people means allowing them the opportunity to make responsible decisions that affect their lives.
The success of this initiative can be gauged by the fact that more than 800 youngsters took part in the programme, appropriately named Youths Local Councils. Other empowerment programmes include the Konkors Kitba Letteratura ghaz-Zghazagh; the Social Theatre Contest and the Divergent Thinkers Exhibition, which offer our young people different opportunities according to their liking, whether it be art, literature or drama.
We are also helping youth organisations obtain EU funding through the European Paying Agency. In fact in the last four years, youth organisations have received €3.6 million for 240 projects.
In this legislature, the government has invested in infrastructural projects in order to create new opportunities for our young people – a case in point is the opening of two new Youth Activity Centres in Marsaxlokk and Dingli. These projects are aimed at providing premises equipped with internet access and other facilities for youth organisations to organise seminars, meetings, workshops and live-ins.
We have also opened youth cafés in Qawra and Msida, with two others in Valletta and Birgu opening soon. These youth cafés are intended to create a safe and informal environment where young people can meet and enjoy themselves.
Work is also in progress on a one-stop-shop for young people in Valletta. The Valletta Youth Stop will offer useful information on education and social services to our young people.
A future for our youth through Budget 2013
Compared with other EU member states, Malta has one of the lowest numbers of young people seeking a job. Nonetheless, there were a number of initiatives included in Budget 2013 to help our unemployed youth. One of these schemes, called Active, focuses on those who are under 25, while other schemes are intended to help young people start their own business, after being given the right training and monitoring. Also planned was the introduction of an apprenticeship programme that would provide financial incentives to employers and students. Apprentices who enrolled for this scheme were to be given an increase in stipend from the current €86 to €95 per week which, in certain cases, would be increased by a further €20.
Government also plans to introduce training investments for low earners. Youth Inc., which caters for the 16 to 21-year age bracket, will be extended to 24-year-olds. The Job Bridge programme, which provides training to disabled people in order to better prepare them for integration in a working environment will be enhanced, while €500,000 will be invested in a new centre in Pembroke with modern training facilities.
No wonder the demonstrations of our young people are so different from those taking place in other European cities.