As a reaction to the budget, the Malta Union of Teachers said that it notes that it is a continuation of previous initiatives and is meant to build on measures taken in recent years in the education sector.

"These include the building of more new schools and extensions of existent ones, measures related to literacy including a national centre for Curriculum in Gozo, pedagogy training for teachers, the sabbatical initiative and investment in technology and vocational education."

The Union said that on the other hand, it cannot but stress that this Budget "is short on innovative initiatives and on decisions that need to be taken urgently in relation to various issues. These include measures to attract and increase the number of new educators in the teaching profession which is facing an imminent crisis, and a budget to introduce a curriculum to cater for students with different abilities."

The Union added that it is "also disappointed on the fact that beyond the tourism industry there is no provision for a general setup across the board which takes care of accreditation of prior learning to the detriment of many skilled workers. Also, the proposal for a permanent committee on education which would exonerate education from partisan wrangles has not yet been taken on board."

In conclusion, the Union said that it hopes that the detailed estimates of the Budget will go some way in answering the above concerns

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