Meta ma ninvestux fl-edukazzjoni, inkunu qed nonqsu li ninvestu fil-futur ta’ pajjiżna

When we fail to invest in education, we fail to invest in our country’s future
During a discussion on education, PN Leader Alex Borg says educators must be at the forefront of shaping education policy

When a country fails to invest fully in education, it fails to invest in its future.

During a discussion on education at the start of the school year, Partit Nazzjonalista Leader Alex Borg said that education is the foundation of society and must be a government priority if we want to build a strong society.

Education should not be a partisan issue. It requires a collective effort to ensure it meets today’s needs and gives students the tools they need. In doing so, we will nurture citizens with the skills to take our country forward.

Alex Borg said that investment in education also helps set the direction of the economy. When Malta invested in aviation training, it succeeded in attracting investment to the sector. He said the country should take the same approach to shape the economic future it wants.

The PN Leader referred to two visits he made this week to schools in Ta’ Kerċem, Gozo. The first was to BELS English language school, which draws on quality tourism seeking services in Malta. The second was to Santa Tereża Primary School, where teachers stressed the importance of being consulted when education policies are drawn up.

He said that, alongside investment in educators, we must ensure that educators and students have comfortable, modern and well-equipped places in which to teach and learn.

Speaking about the PISA report, Alex Borg said its findings should make us take a hard look at the direction of education. He stressed the need to develop students’ critical thinking skills and said the report should be analysed with educators and students themselves to chart the way forward.

Asked about education in Gozo, he said it still faces several challenges. The University of Malta and MCAST campuses in Gozo offer a limited range of courses, meaning students must travel to Malta for many courses. He also spoke about the financial pressures on Gozitan students studying in Malta and subsidies that no longer reflect today’s realities.

Shadow Minister for Education and Citizenship Jerome Caruana Cilia also addressed the PISA findings, which show that Maltese students are struggling with basic skills. In reading and science in particular, Maltese students recorded their worst results in 16 years.

He said that, while the country should not base everything on this report alone, it must take seriously what PISA and other education research tell us if it is to build a stronger education system. A national conference on education, he said, could provide a clearer direction for the future.

With state schools reopening tomorrow, Jerome Caruana Cilia asked whether the Government could guarantee that all the necessary teachers and resources would be in place.

The discussion, held at the Għajnsielem Local Council Library, also featured Christine Scerri, an educator and former Head of School, and Anna Maria Gatt, a lecturer in Sport and Physical Education at MCAST.

Christine Scerri said that education does not take place only at school: what happens in schools reflects what is happening in society. She said today’s work pressures leave parents with less time to spend with their children, creating greater challenges for educators. She also spoke about inclusion and the challenges that remain, the need for a much longer-term vision for education, and the importance of a serious discussion about keeping education relevant today.

Anna Maria Gatt said that physical education is a compulsory subject with many benefits. Students themselves, she explained, recognise the skills and benefits it offers, including the social side of lessons, the opportunity to express themselves, and a more open, community-oriented setting. She called for greater collaboration between schools and organisations with sports facilities to give students more opportunities to be physically active.

At the close of the discussion, the PN Leader wished all students and educators a successful year.

Today’s event was moderated by Maria Portelli.

27.09.2026