During an informal meeting on Tuesday at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, MCAST, in Gozo, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, discussed with young students the measures announced yesterday in the Budget 2026.

“We firmly believe that students and their families should have every possible support, including financial support, at one of the most delicate moments of their lives, when they are undergoing their educational formation. An educational path that is the foundation of their future. That is why we have announced measures in next year’s Budget that will continue to build on measures and reforms that we have introduced in previous years, and from which students and their families will benefit directly,” stated Minister Clifton Grima.

Minister Clint Camilleri said, “It was a pleasure to meet with the students at MCAST today on the day after the Budget and to talk to them about how this Budget will affect them in a positive way. As the Ministry for Gozo, we provide various allowances and subsidies to Gozitan students who attend post-secondary or tertiary education in Malta. Now, in order to facilitate the application process and at the same time strengthen financial support, we will start providing an allowance of €280 per month, which will benefit over 800 students. For the majority of Gozitan students, this will mean an increase of around 70% on the assistance we currently provide.”

Minister Camilleri said that during last summer, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning began to modernise the Primary School in Ker?em, and during next year, works are expected to begin to modernise the Primary School in Zebbu?. He concluded by saying that these two projects amount to €7 million.

It was explained that other measures announced included responding to the challenges of students by increasing stipends by 15%, “which means an additional €6 million in the pockets of young people. This is a direct measure to strengthen participation in higher education and reduce the financial burden on students and their families,” the Minister said.

It was also noted that more financial assistance is being provided again to parents of students who continue their studies after compulsory education, who will continue to receive €500 per year for three years up to a maximum of €1,500.

The Ministers added that the Budget also provides for a new allowance for Gozitan students studying in Malta, that of €280 per month, which is an increase of 70% on the current system.

“Following the huge success of the free gym scheme introduced last year, the Government will re-launch this scheme for young people aged between 16 and 21, those born between 2004 and 2009,” they said

Photo: DOI/Clifton Fenech

Permalink: Ministers discuss budget measures with MCAST students in Gozo