The student NGO Studenti Graffiti is concerned about the current socio-economic realities suffered by many low-income families in Malta.

This follows Junior College announcing that it has implemented a four-year course for working students.

Studenti Graffiti is saying that although Flexi Programmes are important and needed, this is not a solution for the economic struggles students face.

"The provision of this course will not solve the deeper systemic problems which resulted in 16- to 18-year-olds becoming their families' breadwinners," Studenti Graffiti said.

The NGO said that all students have the right to fulfil their academic aspirations full-time, without having to worry about financial struggles.

It emphasised that many students are discouraged from continuing their education due to their financial struggles. It further quoted the National Statistics Office, which reported that a fifth of persons under the age of 18 are at risk of poverty in Malta.

Studenti Graffiti also called out the more privileged who are exploiting "their precarious situation by providing low wages, long working hours, and inadequate working conditions."

The NGO further said that the struggles working-class people are facing are a result of Malta's capitalist system.

It argued that these issues could be solved by bettering the working class conditions, by improving wages to keep up with the cost of living, improving working conditions and providing everyone with the right to affordable housing.

Although the NGO said that increasing the stipend will help, it still does not believe that this is enough. It is urging current working students to communicate with one another and unionise to stand up for their rights.