While teachers and members of the Maltese Parliament in Malta are still enjoying their holidays, the summer break is over for the European Parliament. During last week, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had to start their weekly trek from their respective home countries to Brussels, and once a month to Strasbourg, to fulfil their role of representing the European constituents who elected them in the elections held last May.
Although the newly elected members of the have already met twice since May’s election, most did not engage in any legislative work. It is now that they have started getting to grips with the legislative issues left over from the previous term. During the last week members of the European Parliament’s 20 committees and two sub-committees held the first committee meetings after the summer break.
The European Association of Teachers AEDE (Malta) said that it is pleased to note that the two Maltese MEP Dr. Therese Comodini Cachia and MEP Ms. Marlene Mizzi, have taken an active part in the proceedings of European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee (CULT). Both Dr. Comodini Cachia and Ms. Mizzi are substitute members in the Culture and Education Committee. This is the first time that Maltese MEPs have served in this Committee.
During the CULT Committee meeting MEP Therese Comodini Cachia raised her concern on early school leavers. She also highlighted the need for a strategy to encourage entrepreneurship amongst youths .
On her part MEP Marlene Mizzi queried whether the Italian Presidency will be doing anything pushing forward the European Parliament’s wish for an increase in the EU’s budget allocation for the Education and Training Sector.
AEDE (Malta) strongly believes “that the participation of the Maltese MEPs in the Culture and Education Committee will prove to be a very fruitful.”