Annaliza Borg



Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday called for a national debate free from partisan politics towards the proposed reform in education which is needed “for the best of all children.”

Speaking at a party activity in Gozo yesterday, Dr Gonzi explained how all children’s skills needed to be recognised in helping them achieve the best for their future. The positive aspects in the system have to remain, he added, however children with weaker academic skills needed to be supported for their holistic development.

Children’s education is regarded as “most precious,” thus the Prime Minister described it’s reform as “a huge burden.”

He explained that children “cannot be labelled ‘from the south’ or ‘from Cospicua’. All children are intelligent.” They “all needed to be cared for,” for their best skills to be developed.

While describing his annual visit to a school chosen to design the Prime Minister’s Christmas card, Dr Gonzi pointed out that when the Cospicua Primary School was chosen two years ago, a number of Christmas Cards were finally selected because it was so difficult to simply choose one. Similarly, he described this year’s Christmas cards designed by the Valletta Primary School as “a piece of work which speaks in a much stronger voice than mine.”

He also mentioned the technology introduced in schools along the years by which an electronic Christmas card was designed and is to be sent to all children by email.

Dr Gonzi also explained the idea of colleges which were introduced in a bid to alleviate tension and stress that often affects children and their parents in toiling for success.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the system of having a two-hour exam determining children’s future needed to be eradicated. Although “exams will not be removed,” these had to be intertwined within a chain whereby continuous assessment described children’s progress and development.

The reformed educational system was based on the idea of children discovering their skills and abilities by means of an “experience which gave the necessary tools for children to be independent and be able to build their own future.”

Speaking on economic challenges, Dr Gonzi described the recently announced budget as one which “put money where our mouth is”.

He also urged the people to be “courageous” and positive because our country still achieved very good results and another record year in tourism when other countries were facing huge turbulence. The picture for times ahead was more blurred and a decrease in tourism from countries which have fallen into recession was being forecast, he explained. However, the government did not agree with those who made the proposal of “giving cheques to people”.

On the other hand Dr Gonzi said, the government took the advice of others who spoke of infrastructural projects and heavy investment, even if the country had to borrow money, to increase capital which led to further job creation and keeping the economy moving forward.

He also described the income tax reform based on the idea that those working more paid less, which saw the third consecutive decrease in the budget but was resulting in more income for the government.

Dr Gonzi also described the meeting with unions on utility tariffs which he had on Saturday as “a mature discussion in the country’s best interest and which should conclude the reform in the days to come.”

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech would today be meeting the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU).

In his conclusion he pointed out that the government did want the people to continue building on their quality of life and enjoy the fruit reaping from years of hard work. Meanwhile though, “a culture change” was needed and the enjoyment of “quality of life is to be based on the knowledge that every minute of energy used costs money.”

Other participants at the activity were Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and MP Franco Debono who spoke on the budget and its special emphasis on Gozo towards better economic and social development within a sustainable vision.

“This meant that work for the sustainable development of Gozo was regarded as in national interest,” Minister Debono said.

In continuation with Dr Gonzi’s description of Christmas card creation, Minister Debono said, “The best card was that of new schools built along the years.” While the new Gozo Boys’ Secondary School was being built, Minister Debono explained that discussions were ongoing for the building of a new Girls’ Secondary School among others.

The Gozo Minister also described projects such as the holistic restoration of the Citadel for which EUR 300,000 were allocated towards the drafting of a master plan on how best to manage this fortification with its many treasures.

Other investment was being allocated towards restoration and conservation of Ggantija Temples, the development of Zewwieqa Waterfront as well as Marsalforn and Xlendi bays. The reform of Gozo Public Transport was another priority project with an investment of EUR 700,000 as were job creation projects since much work needed to be done in the fields.

Although the vision for Gozo was “very ambitious” Minister Debono said, it was “realistic” and had the strategic aims of a better quality of living and more job creation whilst putting less pressure on the environment and strengthening the Gozitan identity.