The government will give a €500 payment to parents of students in year 10 and year 11 in secondary schools, the Ministry of Social Policy and the Ministry of Education said in a joint statement.

The payment aims to encourage the use of digital devices for educational purposes. 7,483 parents or guardians will benefit, representing 7,740 students. The measure will cost the government €3.87 million. Parents will receive an SMS or letter informing them that they are eligible.

The initiative follows a similar measure last year, when around 20,000 digital devices were given to students in years 4, 7, 8, and 9. The policy is linked to the Education Strategy 2024-2030 and the Malta Vision 2050 strategy.

“This is the tangible policy that is reaching our families, because we believe that we can have more employees of quality in the future if we invest more in early education,” Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said.

Education Minister Clifton Grima explained the digital education rationale behind the payment. “In a world which is becoming more digital, it is important to ensure that every student has access to the required tools to learn, to develop his skills and to look confidently to the future.”