Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, has said that it is “very concerned with the increase announced recently in the Examination fees. This regressive measure will badly affect low income families. This measure will increase social inequality.”

The Matsec Board had announced an increase in fees, which they said was the first rise since 2002.

Zminijietna said that “it seems that this anti-social measure, for an increase in the examination fees is the direct consequence of the reduction in the tax rate of 35%. Zminijietna had actually predicted that the reduction in taxation would lead to a reduction in the educational funds eligible to run these services.”

Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, concluded by saying that it appeals to the Government to revise its policy on MATSEC prices. “At the same time Zminijietna insists that the Government should reintroduce the 35% income tax rate, so that public services would remain sustainable.”

The Government had pointed out that Matsec’s financial situation had deteriorated in the past three years, amounting to a loss of €402,500, because it was unsustainable.

It said the situation had to be addressed especially when Matsec was facing new developments.

Moreover, the SEC vocational exam, which will now cost €21 was an alternative to BTEC exams, which cost more than €130.

The new rates, the Government said, were also cheaper than those of examinations of the same level taken by Maltese and Gozitan students.

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