Reacting to the parliamentary debate which took place yesterday, MCAST said in a statement that it has “unjustly been criticised”.

In a statement, MCAST said the fact that it will be offering level 7 degree courses is an important development for Malta and it is as a result of the work of previous administrations that MCAST has reached such levels today.

“MCAST staff are prepared and qualified to offer such courses, besides MCAST  has a quality assurance system in place.

“MCAST has made it through the external audit done by the National Commission for High Education which looked at MCAST’s operations, particularly its quality assurance system,” the statement read.

In a statement, PN MP George Pullicino, who is the party spokesperson on early education, said Education Minister Evarist Bartolo wanted to stop the Opposition from asking questions.

The Opposition, he said, had made legitimate questions about the leadership of MCAST, particularly on the government’s decision for MCAST to accredit itself at level 7 instead of being accredited by independent institutions.

The Opposition asked where this proposal had originated from, if MCAST had made the request, what studies had been carried out. Did the minister verify if MCAST has the necessary structures and academic profile to carry out this auto-accreditation? What measures had MCAST taken to be in a position to accredit itself for programmes at Masters and Postgraduate diploma level?

Mr Pullicino said the Opposition has the right to ask these questions to ensure that the college maintains its quality level. The PN, he said, would surely not attack an institution that it had created. The PN MP condemned the minister for using the educational institution to attack the Opposition.