Education and sport are two of the greatest investments any country can make. They are not costs, they are opportunities. Opportunities for our young people to grow, for our educators to inspire, and for our nation to progress with confidence.

This year's Budget once again places our children, students, and families at the centre of national priorities. It is a Budget that looks forward, that believes in potential, and that continues to invest in the skills, wellbeing and success of our people.

We are strengthening support for students. We believe in equal opportunity, no matter where you come from. That is why students will receive a 15% increase in stipends and a €280 monthly allowance for Gozitan students studying in Malta. Education shouldn't depend on where you live, it should depend on your passion and determination to succeed. With these measures, we're breaking down long-standing barriers and making sure every student has the chance to keep learning without the added burden of financial pressure.

Families remain the pillar of our education system. Parents of children who continue their studies after compulsory education will continue to receive €500 every year for three years, a total of €1,500. This is a message of encouragement to keep supporting their children's ambitions and to see education not as a burden, but as an investment in their future.

The government's investment of more than €13 million is transforming our educational infrastructure to have modern, sustainable school buildings. Our schools are becoming brighter, safer, more innovative spaces, schools that are technologically advanced, inclusive, and forward-looking.

At the same time, education is evolving with technology. The distribution of 20,000 digital devices to students in Years 4, 7, 8 and 9, together with a €500 grant for families with students in Years 10 and 11, will ensure that no child is left behind in the digital age. These aren't just gadgets; they're tools that enable opportunities. We're preparing students for both the present and the future together with our new curriculum, which focusses on digital skills, maths and important life lessons.

Education isn't just about learning, it's about wellbeing too. Through the National Strategy for the Wellbeing of Educators and new initiatives that support students, families, and teachers, we are recognising that success depends as much on mental and emotional balance as it does on academic achievement. The Family Community School Link continues to strengthen collaboration between families, schools, and communities, because when we work together, our children thrive.

This same holistic approach also extends to sport. By giving young people aged 16 to 21 free access to gyms, we're investing in their health, confidence, and self-discipline. Sport teaches lessons that last a lifetime. Teamwork, respect, and resilience, values which help us build stronger, healthier communities. Every young person deserves the chance to experience that.

The government is also delivering a series of ambitious projects and programmes that continue to elevate sport to a new national level. The Malta School Games, have already brought together thousands of students from state, church and independent schools across Malta and Gozo to compete in various sport, celebrating not only competition but also participation, teamwork, and inclusion.

We are also transforming the long-standing OnTheMove programme into Let's Move Malta, a nationwide campaign promoting physical activity as a lifestyle choice for people of all ages and abilities. These community sessions, led by trained professionals, offer opportunities for everyone to stay active after school or work,. strengthening our belief that sport belongs to everyone.

Our investment in infrastructure continues to grow. The Handball pavilion is being expanded into a full multi-functional sports complex with new halls and dressing rooms, providing modern and flexible facilities for various disciplines. The Marsa Sports Complex will soon also feature state-of-the-art facilities for weightlifting, squash, and netball.

Meanwhile, in Pembroke, we are developing a National Tennis Centre that will serve both athletes and the wider community.

We are investing into more than just infrastructure; we are also investing into inclusion and excellence. A €1 million grant will continue to assist Special Olympics Malta in 2026. This assistance gives more opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Malta will also host international swimming games for persons with intellectual disabilities, with the participation of around 50 countries, a celebration of determination, courage, and unity through sport.

Every measure we take in education and sport is an investment in our children's potential, in the Malta of tomorrow. Because when our young people grow, our country grows with them.

As Minister, I am proud of how far we have come, but even more determined to continue. This Budget isn't about numbers; it's about people. It's about giving every student, teacher, and young person the chance to make a life that is meaningful and makes them proud. We are all working together to make Malta that is more skilled, resilient, and compassionate. A country that really believes that sport and education can change lives.

Clifton Grima is Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation