The bill meant to ensure that we shall at least have a minimum number of women MPs in the Maltese Parliament cannot but be given full support. It had long been evident that without a system of quotas in force, the number of women MPs would stay extremely low. The law will eventually have the same effect as a quota system and it is encouraging to note that the PN Opposition appears to be in favour.

Still one must also note a rather unsatisfactory impact the proposed law is bound to have: it will result in a significant increase in the number of MPs overall. I am unconvinced that this will be useful. The House of Representatives already is overpopulated. The truth is that up to now, when it was felt necessary to amend the procedures by which it is constituted, changes were introduced by increasing its membership, in order presumably to avoid offending anyone.

One question that arises is whether this newest change will complicate all efforts that could be attempted to convert the MP function into a fulltime one with corresponding remuneration.

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ONLY INCENTIVES?

Some social changes – fair enough, let’s call them reforms – will neeed to be implemented, whether we like it or not. Otherwise we could end up in a clash with regulations agreed at European level and on a wider front. Many of these reforms relate to environmental concerns and the global strategy against climate change, but not only. We are already lagging according to a range of criteria and soon it will not be possible to keep postponing matters.

Apart from the delays that governments have resorted to when they needed to take effective action, one idea has apparently prevailed when setting the implementation programmes for these reforms, such as they were. All concerned remained focussed on how the changes could offend people since they require a big transformation in behaviour and customs, and will bring in their wake increased costs for citizens and companies.

So, the belief was that if sufficient “incentives” are introduced, reforms would find acceptance. It seems that such is still the intention But how true is it that “incentives” will by themselves be enough to get the reforms on track?

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THE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS

A friend was asking me and others the question: Which of the subjects being taught at primary and secondary levels of school should be considered of prime importance?

In a way, I consider such a question with scepticism, since all subjects are valid in their own right – whether it’s history or art or whatever... On the other hand, when one takes into account where/how/if we seem to be making progress compared to other societies and where/how/if we’re lagging, the realization does emerge that we should prioritise those subjects that would give us the best returns in the circumstances that we now find ourselves in.

So, I settled on this priority: maths and science; plus “modern” languages. If the educational system catches up with the best ways by which these subjects are being understood and practised, it would seem that the basis for a much more effective social organization would have been set.

Now, I’m becoming curious to meet again with this friend in order to learn what other responses he got to his question.