As a new scholastic year approaches, Gozitan students are once again faced with the burden of travelling and moving to Malta for University and MCAST. GUG strives to facilitate Gozitan students’ lives regarding both the commute and the new living situations one would be met with, upon commencing one’s tertiary education.
In the past few months, GUG has met up with a variety of Government Officials to voice out the difficulties we as Gozitan students face on a day-to-day basis come the new scholastic year. One such meeting being the GUG’s meeting with the Standing Committee for Gozo Affairs whereby issues such as the Fast Ferry and the inconsistency of the 300, X300 and 150 bus routes were outlined; to which no updates have yet been announced. On this same note, the GUG urges that the X300 should be available daily, so as students wishing to travel with the Gozo Channel will not have to rely on the X1 route which is well known for its tardiness. GUG has also met up Hon. Jerome Caruana Cilia and Hon. Alex Borg regarding the amelioration of realistic issues being faced by Gozitan students. The topics mentioned throughout the meeting include the rising rent prices, the subsidy to full time Gozitan students, the safety of Gozitan students, Stipend, the decrease in job opportunities based in Gozo as well as added focus on the students’ mental health.
It was stated that with regard to the rise in rent prices, most students would have had to continue with their contract throughout the summer months, a time in which the flat is rarely in use, sometimes not in use at all, therefore needing to pay rent for the full year as opposed to paying for only 8/9 months out of the year. This discussion led to the upcoming point regarding the subsidy given to full time students; that consisting of €166.67. It was upheld that such a sum is insufficient in covering the costs for rent. It was agreed amidst those present that there should be an allocated sum to which each Gozitan student is privy to, but that there should also be an added subsidy to which students may apply for upon the presentation of a rental contract. Moreover, regarding the general subsidy, a proposition was made to increase such sum and to continue its handout throughout the summer months, in cases whereby the rental contract is to continue during such time.
Another issue being faced by students is with regard to their safety upon crossing the Msida Skatepark after late-night lectures. It has long been proposed that lights and security camera should be added in the tunnels so as to decrease the number of students risking crossing the main road above. Moreover, similar to the introduction of community policing, there should be a dedicated security guard stationed in the areas in front of the University and in front of the tunnel. A point was raised by Hon. Caruana Cilia regarding the introduction of a specialised person to assist Gozitan students who are faced with such change and uproot upon their commencement into University. Gozitan students are prone to such mental duress due to the sudden change in routine and sudden need to learn how to live by themselves. Such assistance should be offered at both University of Malta and MCAST, at a daily frequency for the first scholastic month and to be later decreased to 2/3 days a week per month later on in the year.
Regarding the general stipend in receipt by every student in Malta, it was sustained that such a sum is not enough to cover the costs of a student’s day to day lives, especially when taking into consideration the rise in prices. This is a particular burden to Gozitan students whom of which, apart from having to keep up with a monthly rent, other expenses need to be taken into consideration, such as groceries and commuting expenses. In regard to the EDU Fast Ferry card, GUG has also mentioned in the meeting that no updates were given despite numerous emails imploring upon the situation. Moreover, upon the same topic it was held that should the card be reinstated, this should also include within its remits the Gozo Channel in instances whereby the Fast Ferry is inoperative as is often the case during stormy weather.
Another point brought up by GUG in the meeting was in regard to lectures which commence very late on a Friday, thus leading to Gozitan students as well as Maltese students from the South of Malta, to arrive home at very late hours in the night. This is of a particular burden to Gozitan students who would have had to leave Gozo on Sunday evenings only to arrive back home late Friday nights. It was suggested that part-time lecturers be given slots between Monday-Thursday, and if no other slot throughout the week is found for the late Friday lecture, then Gozitan students should be given the opportunity to make use of the Gozo Campus so as to join in the lecture virtually. A further suggestion was that of the hybrid-lecture system. In such a hybrid system the choice between attending virtually or physically should be left up to the students. Moreover, such Gozo campus should be utilised more often, such as in cases of stormy weather and students are unable to cross back to Malta for the lecture. An added suggestion is to refrain lectures from being held at 8am on Mondays so as to accommodate for students who are unable to rent and would therefore need to cross daily. This could be beneficial to lecturers and Maltese students as well, in that one would be avoiding the 8am Monday traffic.
Regarding topics outside the realm of University, the decrease in job opportunities in Gozo was highlighted. In consequence to this, people tend to leave their courses and choose to instead work for the Government, in hopes of being located in Gozo for their placement. Whereas those who do choose to continue on with their tertiary education, upon graduation, tend to move to Malta, albeit temporarily, since there are no appealing job opportunities available to them in Gozo.
Leave A Comment