New Education Minister Justyne Caruana praised the fact that despite the challenges related to Covid-19, Malta’s schools had remained open.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Minister for Finance Clyde Caruana and Minister for Education Justyne Caruana provided more details on a substantial financial allocation provided to the sector of education during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“One of the biggest problems that the pandemic created was the opening of schools,” Caruana said. “Today we are here to remark the result that the government has managed to obtain. We saw that in the UK, schools were closed due to Covid-19.”
The Finance Minister noted that due to the government’s spending and planning prior to the re-opening of schools for the current scholastic year, it turned out to be successful.
“The protocols that were organised worked. The government, who will be spending more than €30 million, made all of this possible. The money was spent for more transport organisation to keep children safe from spreading the virus, supervision for social distancing and for checks. We look at this as a very important cost that we paid, as a country, we cannot not take care of our generation,” Clyde Caruana said.
Minister for Education Justyne Caruana also noted how due to the work of the government, the opening of schools was successful. “Even though the challenges, we still managed to keep the schools open. This was not a coincidence, but through the government's work. It is good that we recall what happened from March until now. We were proactive enough to work on the challenges and we managed to be successful.”
Justyne Caruana remarked how technology played a crucial part in the process to re-open schools safely or continue to provide it for those staying at home. She also spoke of the provision of internet for those students who lack technological resources. “One of the biggest successes is recognising the importance of technology in order to continue functioning as a country. We worked on providing free internet for children as well as online teaching,” she said.
The Education Minister also highlighted other aid forms provided throughout this period. “This was not the only assistance, there was also counselling and specialised work on personalised assistance for children who need it.”
Justyne Caruana emphasised about the importance of children to attend schools physically. “We needed to implement various measures, 50 measures that cost a lot. When we speak about this investment, we need to look at the next step; encouraging children to continue attending school physically. Whoever does not need to stay at home should go to school, their place is there. We are working with the Health Authorities to make this possible. Both me and the Finance Minister have children and share this view.”
Asked by the press to give further details with regard to previous comments he made to the Times of Malta, where he noted that he is working on how to beef up the skillset of workers, the Finance Minister said that a study will be conducted.
“The government saw how it will increase the income of those with lower wages. The opportunities are there but so are the challenges. There will be a study conducted as to how we can adapt to this. One of the greatest challenges is if the country will have the workforce with the desired skills. We need to have a workforce which is one of the best in Europe.”
The Finance Minister was also asked about whether there will be an extension to the moratorium of loans, to which he confirmed that there will be. “Yes, there will be an extension, there will be developments. What will happen after the moratorium we will need to see. However, we need to look at businesses in these cases as well, we need to assure that everyone stays with his job.”
Asked about whether the Vitals contract will be cancelled, the Minister for Finance said that “the government will pronounce itself later on this front.” Pressed further on this matter, the Minister held his ground, saying that “the government will try its best to resolve it.”
On the issue of NetEnt, where workers were made redundant due to a takeover by Evolution Gaming, the Finance Minister said that Jobsplus are trying to find another job for them. “Tomorrow I have a meeting on this issue. From Jobsplus’ end they are trying their best.”
Photos: Giuseppe Attard