Education Minister Evarist Bartolo today said criticism by the Opposition over Mcast offering Master's courses was "unfounded and uncalled for." 

Addressing a press conference at Mcast, Mr Bartolo pointed out that the institution has already been permitted to accredit its own courses up to the first degree level in 2012. 

Further amends to the law now permit Mcast to offer courses at Master's level. 

PN MP George Pullicino hit out at the amendments in Parliament last night, questioning the quality assurance process in place. 

Mr Bartolo said a recent audit by the National Commission for Higher Education praised Mcast's self-accreditation system. 

The audit has not been published.

In reply, the PN spokesman for compulsory education George Pullicino said Mr Bartolo will go down in history as the minister who reduced educational standards and, now, also as the minister who wanted to stop to Opposition from asking questions.

The questions raised by the Nationalist Party are whether it was MCAST itself which asked to be given level seven status and, if this was so, the relevant documents should be tabled in the House of Representatives.

The Opposition also asked whether the Commission for Higher Education had mae its recommendations and, if this is so, to make these public. The PN also asked whether MCAST had the right structures and academic profile to fit in this auto-accreditation.

These are all valid questions which the Opposition had every right to submit, Mr Pullicino said.