Through its 125 election proposals, the Nationalist Party is assuring the citizens of these islands a superior quality of life – even better than we have been accustomed to in recent years. It focuses on the creation of new and better jobs, even more efficient health care and a superior educational system. We know that, despite all the difficulties, we have done exceptionally well in these vital sectors, but there is always room for improvement.

The Nationalist Party is synonymous with education and educational reform. We always place the individual at the centre of all our policies and we realise that education is the key to demonstrating all the qualities and abilities of each and everyone.

This is one of the reasons why we must invest heavily in education at all levels: from early childhood to obligatory, post secondary and tertiary education and on to life-long learning.

It is not just a question of building a new school every year, or giving tablets to all students and teachers, it is a holistic vision that is being implemented through innovative strategies.

Investing in Early Childhood Education

In this legislature, we have invested in new, modern childcare facilities because we believe that the early years are crucial for child development. In fact, we have opened eight new childcare centres and nine Klabb 3-16 centres.

The PN election programme proposes further progress in the development of the child and the facilitating of the work-life balance for the modern family. Childcare services will be offered free through vouchers. There will be an investment of €5m for this proposal to be realised. Another very important proposal is the use of sick leave by a parent when their child is not feeling well.

Obligatory Education

In the last five years we have invested heavily in obligatory education and now invest €1.4 million each day on education which means €6,000 a year on every child. This is the highest investment in education since Independence.

In this legislature, we invested €33 million in building five new schools, which are equipped with technology, science and computer labs, and sports facilities, and we are committed to building an additional five in the next legislature.

Today, classes are equipped with 2,200 interactive whiteboards – for an investment of €2.5 million – and we have launched a new e-learning platform investment of €20 million. Having launched a revolution in education through the latest technological gadgets, we are now determined to continue this progress – mainly through tablets for all students and teachers.

Post secondary and higher education

We are determined to improve on the numbers of those who follow post-secondary studies, which is currently 83 per cent of our youngsters. It is imperative to note that, under the last Labour administration, only 43 per cent of students continued with their studies.

It is important to mention other milestones reached by this administration: with a pass rate of 80 per cent among the students who sat for the SEC exams. We have 20,000 students continuing their post-secondary studies: 11,133 students at university, 6,244 students at MCAST and 626 students at ITS. These students are also given a stipend, an investment of €23 million annually.

The investments planned for the university and MCAST are not solely concerned with the improvement of the existing infrastructure – which is needed at both campuses – but also in the facilities for research, learning, sport and recreation. 

We will assist young people over the age of 21who would like to discover other European countries and their cultures.

Financial considerations that reflect the needs of the university will be planned five years in advance, with priority being given to infrastructure connected with the research department, sport and recreational activities, while the Valletta campus will be embellished to reflect the identity of the university, especially in the light of Valletta being the cultural capital of Europe in 2018.

Apart from building a new campus, more Bachelor’s degree courses will be offered at MCAST, while we shall continue stimulating the development of higher institutions which include sixth forms, Junior College and ITS.

Stipends will be improved annually in line with the cost of living increase. Students’ social security contributions will be credited by the government while there will be an increase in stipends for those who follow special courses and also for those with special needs.

Despite uncalled for criticism and incessant prejudice from our political adversaries, we have always reached our targets in the national interest. 

Lifelong Learning

During the past legislature, the government has also invested in non-formal and continuous education. In fact, in the past five years, we have set up the Youth Agency, which is giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills through its empowerment programme.

Furthermore, the government has invested in the ETC’s training programmes which, in the last five years, have trained over 41,000 people, and established the Directorate for Lifelong Learning in 2009, which this scholastic year offered 750 courses and trained over 16,000 people.   

Two thousand scholarships were awarded during the last five years; and we are proposing further investment in this field so that this number will be increased to 3,000.

Actually we will continue to build on the sound and ambitious plans that were put in motion during the last legislature. We firmly believe that, through education, we can create more and better jobs and subsequently offer a better quality of life.

A better future

This programme conforms to the needs of the 21st century while strengthening our roots that are based on real and inspirational values, the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, dialogue and a sense of direction, belief and identity.

The Nationalist Party is the protagonist of change: it is the positive change that people want.