In the light of the recent news regarding the issuing of the second call for the ‘Master it!’ Scholarship Scheme applications, the Malta Learning Support Association (MLSA) would like to express its views on the terms and regulations of the scheme.

The MLSA fails to understand why the call was open for Masters ‘not exceeding the two year duration’. Apart from conducting research for a degree, one also needs to read for it; hence, this is not always possible in a two-year time frame. Moreover, Maltese candidates who would like to further their studies, do not have a wide choice of scholarships where to choose from, since the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS), which was open for Masters courses ‘exceeding the two year period’, only offered scholarship schemes for Masters to a limited number of 35 candidates out of about 289 applicants.

The Master it! objectives are quite solid; however, we feel that certain sectors and prospective candidates will always be at a disadvantage within this scenario. Let us take into consideration the Education Sector and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) who would like to further their studies. Those in possession of a Diploma are invited to apply for the scheme; however, most universities only offer the possibility to read for a first degree (by correspondence) spread over a two-year time frame. On the other hand, the few LSAs in possession of a first degree can apply for MEd courses. Most universities offer various opportunities, including MEd by correspondence spread over a period of three years.

Due to the nature of their work, they are bound to choose the latter mentioned courses and therefore cannot apply for the Master it! Scholarship Scheme. Further to this, the association would like to highlight the fact that there are a number of LSAs in possession of a first degree (not in education) who, in contrast to the scale 10 salary paid to supply teachers in possession of a degree (not in education), are being paid salaries of scale 15, and are currently reading for Masters courses which cost over €9,000. Of course, they applied for the MGSS Scholarship Scheme but being in competition with candidates who were in possession of MEds and PhDs did not help much.

The association feels that government employees such as LSAs will always be at a disadvantage when applying for such scholarship schemes even though ‘Specialisation in Inclusive Education’ is one of the priority areas of study on the Social Agenda.

The MLSA has a question to put forward: In a democratic country, is it possible to go up the academic and professional ladder if you are at the bottom and always being offered opportunities together with candidates who are already at the top of their academic and professional ladder? We hope this question does not change its status to a rhetoric one.

Graziella Gatt

President

Malta Learning Support Association