“Students’
well-being is crucial to any educational system. Those who seek a maintenance
grant face burdens which often already represent obstacles for them to continue
their education. A change in the process of such applications ought to have
been more sensitive to their needs.”
Having been contacted by a number of students who expressed their concern about the delay in being told whether they qualify for this grant, PN Shadow Minister for Education Therese Comodini Cachia has expressed support with the students facing this difficulty especially at this point in time when they are meant to focus their energy on the exams they face in the various programmes of studies.
Understanding that the delays are caused in the stage during which applications for maintenance grants are processed, Comodini Cachia called on the Minister of Education to ensure that sufficient resources are provided so that applications are processed efficiently. The government as a whole should keep its promise of reducing bureaucracy especially with vulnerable people.
“It is not ok for the most vulnerable students to be kept waiting. This causes undue stress and tension in their families and could jeopardise the peace of mind required for them to successfully face their exam sitting. I expect the Minister of Education to intervene expediently to ensure that all pending applications are processed and payments made without further delay.”
The Nationalist Party therefore calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that services are provided efficiently and in a way that is sensitive to students needs and to provide sufficient resources for the efficient processing of these applications.
The Nationalist Party takes this opportunity to wish the best of luck to those students sitting for exams throughout the coming weeks and will continue to listen to their concerns and to provide them and educational institutions with the necessary support.
13.01.15
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