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Minister writes to EC over youth funds suspension Labour’s education spokesperson Evarist Bartolo has pointed his finger at the Education Ministry over the suspension of EU funds for educational programmes financed by the European Commission.Bartolo, who was flanked by Labour MP Owen Bonnici, accused the Ministry of not having done its utmost to avoid this controversy. “Hundreds of students could lose the opportunity to study abroad,” Bartolo said in a press conference outside the Education Ministry yesterday morning. “Instead of holding inquiries that nobody takes seriously, the government must do everything possible to restart the education programmes suspended by the European Commission,” he insisted. Bartolo said the EC had warned the ministry well ahead of the decision to cut off spending, and that the government now had to heed its recommendations before funding can restart. In an article appearing in MaltaToday (page 22), Bartolo accused Cristina of ‘running a cabal’ at the EUPA. “She has created a cabal of individuals that are chosen primarily for their loyalty to her.” In a reaction, Cristina yesterday said she had written to Androula Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilinguism following the suspension of the application of EU educational programmes in Malta following various administrative irregularities. In her letter to Vassiliou, Cristina “informed her that the measures that were needed had been taken and about the progress made on other measures so that the Youth in Action and Lifelong Learning of the EU, which are currently temporarily suspended, can restart as soon as possible.” “Detailed information” was sent to the EC showing the measures being implemented by EUPA. This showed “government’s commitment so that the situation can be remedied as soon as possible,” Cristina insisted. Meanwhile, the EUPA was in contact with its EU counterparts to find a way how Maltese students could also participate in these programmes even this year, to circumvent the EU ban. The ministry revealed for the first time that when last year, Cyprus’s participation in the EU educational programmes was stopped due to similar problems, “Malta helped Cyprus”. Cristina said the government was also examining whether it should compensate students who made financial commitments in connection with these programmes. Any comments? |
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Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email
Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email