The Labour Party today hit out at Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and Nationalist MP George Pullicino for trying to cast doubts on the ability of MCAST students and lecturers.

In a press conference in front of MCAST, held outside at 2.30pm in the scorching heat, Alex Saliba and Lydia Abela, from Forum Zghazagh Laburisti said that the Labour government has taken giant steps in the field of education, but the Nationalist Party chooses to embark on all-out attacks each time an initiative or project is announced.

This week in parliament, the Opposition put forward a motion to revoke the legal notice that changes the requirements for university licensing.

Ms Abela said that if Mr Pullicino was properly informed, he would have known that in 2012, MCAST was made a self-accrediting institution. “The PN has become so negative, that it is known criticising its own doing,” she said.

She said that the PN also attacked Martin Scicluna, Head of the National Commission for Higher and Further Education, saying that the PN chose to attack one of their own supporters, because what he said does not go down well with the party. “The PN has become well known for its double standards,” she said.

Mr Saliba questioned why MEP Therese Commodini Cachia failed to give a reaction to Dr Busuttil and Dr Pullicino’s speech. He questioned how a full-time MEP is also giving lectures at the university.  Asked whether this is a contradicting statement, given the revised code of ethics allows ministers to lecture, Mr Saliba said "my question remains valid on how she is doing both jobs. Dr Commodini Cachia should publish her university research.

Labour Youth Movement has alienated itself from students - MZPN

The PN’s youth movement (MZPN) said in a statement that it is clear that the only party which sticks up for our students is the Nationalist Party.

“Less than 48 hours after government MPs voted in favour of lowering our educational standards, the Labour Youth Movement defended this decision, despite the fact that the move will have a negative impact on our educational system,” MZPN said.

Referring to the news conference called by the Labour Youth Movement earlier today, where the president of the movement – Alex Saliba – confirmed that the movement - which is meant to serve as a point of contact between the Labour Party and students – has alienated itself from students.

"During the last few weeks, students and lecturers attacked the Legal Notice introduced by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo which seeks to lower University standards.

“If there is a party that is really in favour of education, particularly MCAST's educational system, it is the PN since it is the party which created MCAST and invested in the institute, only for Labour to have closed it down," the MZPN said.