The University Ghaqda tal-Malti has deplored Labour MP Evarist Bartolo for claiming English should be given “priority” for the Maltese people.
It accused the Labour leadership contender “of adopting a neocolonial mentality” for saying the English language should be given priority in Malta.
“His proposal sends us 180 years back, to Vassalli’s times. If Mr Bartolo believes the teaching of English should be priority, then the Ghaqda will agree with him, because really the level of English in Malta has declined. But if Mr Bartolo wishes us to throw away our national culture to become like some country which became civilized with English colonialisation, then the Ghaqda cannot be [sic] deplore these words.”
The Ghaqda, which is presided by the notary Mark Sammut, the son of novelist Frans Sammut, a former advisor to Alfred Sant, said it wished the new MLP leader to “follow the tradition in favour of the national culture and language. With his deeds. As much as we expect the government, to follow this tradition, whether it be a Nationalist government or composed of other parties.”
“By no means, we do not like to influence the choice of the new leader of the Opposition. However, the Għaqda tal-Malti hopes that our national language will be used and be given priority in more sectors of public administration and by the whosoever will be leading the Opposition in the coming years.”