Electoral Report

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Introduction

In light of the ongoing electoral campaign in build up to the General Election on 3rd of June 2017, KSU has consulted with student organisations and the student body to identify the sectors that have most impact on their academic advancement and educational standards. An ad hoc sub-committee was swiftly set up, where through numerous discussions, five pillars were identified as follows: Education and Employment, Transport and Environment, Gozo, Civil Rights and Health and Sports.

Consultation and transparency are highly-valued principles that must lie at the core of every key decision and policy. The line of communication amongst students, university and the Ministry of Education should be maintained to establish strong and reliable links and to ascertain the smooth-running of educational institutions.

It is highly encouraged that any work carried out pertaining to proposals put forward during the previous electoral campaign, particularly those addressing parking and transport, is not discarded.

On a final note, whilst wholly thanking all the Sub-Committee participants who worked to come up with these proposals despite their academic commitments, the KSU executive looks forward to a fruitful dialogue with the elected members of parliament and all stakeholders and entities concerned.

Education & Employment Recognition of extra-curricular skills: Many students gain skills such as presenting skills, debating skills, the ability to clearly voice opinions, the ability to create platforms for dialogue (and many more) through participation in student organisations. These skills are essential to aid students in their academic trajectories. We therefore propose that: • Since students’ academic formation is very often accompanied by non-formal education through voluntary organisations and

associations, these skills should be recognised by the accreditation system of educational institutions, including the University of Malta.

E-Books A single textbook necessary for a student’s course can reach a cost of 3040 Euro or more, and the environmental cost from the printed paper is equally considerable. The use of e-books would thus not only promote the safeguarding of the environment, but would also prove to be a very good cost cutting measure for the whole student body. We therefore propose that together with more funding, the Government: •

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puts pressure on the University Administration to provide increased access to E-books for students attending University as well as other tertiary institutions. urges the University Administration to continue improving HyDi, the University’s database of library resources, by increasing the number of documents available on the site, as well as making it more student friendly.

Library Opening Hours The University Library should further extend its opening hours. We therefore propose to the relevant authorities: •

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Puts pressure on University of Malta to provide access to the library facilities 24 hours a day during peak examination and studying periods, while allowing space for students both for studying as well as for class-related meet ups during the week.

Push for weekend opening hours to also be extended until the evenings.

Other Issues Issues such as the debate over the introduction of the CELP at University have shown that a revamp of the educational system from its very root is needed. It seems university students lack both language and critical thinking skills that they need to have acquired by the time they enter university. It is therefore important for the government to cater for the future generation of students by:

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Giving better resources to teachers and improving the way they give their lectures; thereby improving the conditions in which students learn, so that students can have a better quality of education.

Curricula from foreign educational institutions can be used as examples to advise on the implementation of more diverse, comprehensive and stress-free syllabi in our educational system.

Our current educational system is almost wholly founded on theory.

Whilst this is very necessary, it would be extremely beneficial for students if a more practical aspect was to be introduced to all courses.

This practical aspect can be implemented through increased promotion of paid student internships, as well as promoting the importance of student activism by officially accrediting students’ participation in Student Organisations.

Transport & Environment i) Transport Bus System Recommendations outlined in this section serve to proactively tackle various factors that repel commuters from using public transport services.

The four main aspects that could enhance the population’s motivation to utilise the bus system are outlined below: A. B. C. D.

Time Frequency Improvement of routes Bus fare subsidies •

Time: It should be ensured that the bus is on time and that the timetables are respected. Although the App provided by Transport Malta has helped to know when the bus will arrive, the bus timetable or time of arrival of the bus even on the app is uncertain.

This can be avoided by: • • •

Increasing the dedicated priority lanes for public transport.

Using regulation and traffic engineering to regulate traffic Reducing bus bunching

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Frequency: The frequency of buses needs to be increased particularly targeting routes to and from University. The general service entails having two buses to four buses an hour at one’s disposal. An increase in frequency, such as that already implemented in the Valletta area, would incentivise commuters to consider the bus system as a good and reliable transport choice.

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Improvement of routes/ hubs for certain buses: Routes need to be shortened and localised. The current situation reveals that bus routes are unnecessarily lengthened by passing through small villages in between. This situation could be improved by: •

Specialising the routes for the small axes (little towns/villages) and big axes, thus reducing commuting time.

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Making sure that waiting times at changeover hubs are reduced

Bus fare subsidies for students: Incentives like the transport fund scheme initiated by KSU in collaboration with Transport Malta to top up students’ bus cards for three months should continue.

Vehicle Use The number of cars on the road could be reduced by: •

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Providing safe, affordable and comfortable school buses for students from primary school to secondary school. Parents should also be encouraged to use the system.

Looking into the possibility of a Park and Ride system from strategic areas across the island.

Offering University of Malta students a 50% discount on the purchase of motorcycles under the 300cc category if they do not have a registered car under their name.

Walking The concept of walking to University (Junior College, Mcast and other institutions), specifically targeting individuals that live within walking distance, could be promoted by: •

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Collaborating with health organisations on campus and outside of campus and the Ministry of Health to start a campaign to encourage walking for health and environmental reasons Making subways safer for people to use.

Improving pavements so as to make it more comfortable and safe for use.

Cycling Proposals pertaining to biking include: •

Providing safe and dedicated lanes for bicycles towards the University of Malta.

• • •

Launching a campaign promoting road safety.

Providing bicycle helmet lockers on campus and showering facilities.

Offering financial subsidies on pedelec electric bicycles.

increase

ii) Environment Recycling Recycling at educational institutions institutions should be encouraged by: •

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and

outside

of

educational

Providing recycling bins at every educational institution by using the bins that are already around campus or other institutions but rendering them compact multi-recycling bins. This will firstly reduce the cost of putting more bins on campus by using the ones that are already there. Secondly it will ensure that people can recycle all around campus therefore making it easier to recycle and increasing students’ willingness to recycle.

Promoting incentives to recycle in shops on campus and outside of campus.

Renewable Energy The use of renewable energy within educational institutions could be increased by: •

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Enhancing the use of solar power energy to light educational institutions, which can be subsidised by the government or sponsored by solar companies.

Creating more awareness about turning off the lights when not in use. An educational campaign can be created in all institutions to educate people regarding their current energy consumption and how to be efficient in their use.

Putting forward a proposal to the University of Malta to carry out a carbon neutrality report concerning all buildings and activities on campus.

Gozo

Upon analysing all the political parties’ proposals in relation to Gozo, we have reached the conclusion that similar proposals have been put forward by all of them. Nonetheless, a few differences were seen with regards to policies related to ‘Gozo as a region’ and policies specifically related to the ‘Gozo General Hospital’.

Gozo as a Region The proposal to define Gozo as an Island Region in the Constitution of Malta is essential for the Gozitan population. For the past years, the Gozo University Group (GUG) has been advocating for the recognition of Gozo’s regionality. Proposals that specifically target Gozo’s regional status include the establishment of a Regional Council for Gozo and the setting up of a Regional Authority and a Parliamentary Committee specifically related to Gozitan issues.

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The direction towards Gozo as a region must be supported in order to see the elevation of Gozitan affairs into the national agenda.

Second fibre optic cable A second fibre optic cable is needed in order to attract new investment in Gozo, leading to new jobs in Gozo for the Gozitan people.

This proposal was mentioned in successive budgets, and could be materialised by: •

Ensuring that the Government will start working on this project in the first year of the next legislature.

University of Malta (Gozo Campus) The Government must work in order to continue to sustain the services and courses offered at the Gozo Campus. This could be achieved by: •

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Developing a new strategy which focuses on a particular research area which would also attract foreign researchers to the University Gozo Campus.

Encouraging the increased use of video conferencing during lectures.

Better Accessibility Accessibility is the cornerstone of any country which desires prosperity as well as growth. Gozo’s double insularity condition has led to a commercial, economic and social isolation up to a certain point. One could view such an element as being a disadvantage, however it could be transformed into an asset for the island, following proper planning and investment. As students, we believe that Gozo could benefit from better accessibility, which would benefit the Gozitan student body as a whole, and ultimately lead to a revival of Gozo as prosperous island. This aspect could be enforced by: •

• • •

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Continuously engaging with the Government with the ultimate aim of creating a permanent link between the islands, making it easier for students to cross more frequently between Malta and Gozo.

Investing in a sustainable fast ferry service as a short-term option.

Synchronising the bus route timetables with the ferry service.

Introducing the public and private transport ticket which can be utilised seamlessly across various forms of transport such as buses, ferries and pleasure boats. This would alleviate problems for students travelling by public transport and also encourages further use of public transport rather than private cars.

All Gozitan students who commute daily by motorcycle to benefit from free ferry crossings via the Gozo Channel as a bid to incentive two-wheel travel over car use, reduce queue times and efficiency.

Civil Rights Gender Neutral Bathrooms Following the current Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act, gender neutral bathrooms in public toilets in towns as well as gender neutral toilets and showers in educational institutions all over Malta and Gozo should be implemented to safeguard people who do not fit with mainstream cis-gender identity and expression. The upkeep of such venues and protection from vandalism is also essential.

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More Gender-Neutral Toilets and Gender Neutral Showers in Public and Educational Settings as well as ensuring the upkeep of such venues.

Shelters Additionally, developing a home or shelter for dependent individuals forming part of the LGBTIQ+ community who due to reasons of abusive (both physical and psychological) prejudice and discrimination are not safe living in their home. It is essential that a shelter of this nature is built both in Malta and in Gozo. This scheme would be of a particular impact to students, who due to commitments associated with their studies are more financially dependent on aspects such as renting accommodation.

Therefore, individuals within the LGBTIQ+ community would be able to live in a safer place bereft of abusive discrimination.

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Shelter for LGBTIQ+ individuals with a focus on Queer Youth and students in precarious situations.

Educational Projects Apart from initiatives surrounding prevention of STIs and STDs, more awareness initiatives should be raised in ensuring minimum stigmatisation about people who end up catching STIs and STDs. Such initiatives should especially be implemented in different educational institutions where STI and STD Prevention is already taught.

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Social and Educational Projects focused on the reduction of the stigma against people with STIs and STDs with a special focus on educational institutions.

Ethnic Minorities, Asylum Seekers and Cultural Diversity: Training would help to increase inclusion of people of different backgrounds and cultures within different sectors of the Maltese Islands.

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Culturally Inclusive Training for people working in sectors such as police, media, health and education to be taught by youth and students.

Gender Equality Implementing initiatives, especially in an educational setting, can improve the knowledge of parent teachers regarding balancing work and childcare.

This will also incentivise more student parents to take up studies, giving them easier access to conduct university related studies and to attend classes whilst concurrently taking care of their children. •

More good quality free child care centres in University of Malta and other tertiary educational institutions that would be accessible for parent teachers as well as student parents.

People With Disabilities Such an initiative is essential for the implementation of inclusion of people with different abilities and disabilities in our public and educational settings. Also, creating a more inclusive environment for individuals with mental disabilities or other mental health related issues in institutions, especially the education sector is of paramount importance. •

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More accessibility or refurbishment of accessibility areas for people with physical disabilities in public institutions especially in all educational institutions like University of Malta and public areas.

More accessibility or refurbishment of accessibility areas for people with mental disabilities and difficulties in public institutions especially in all educational institutions like University of Malta and public areas. Such an initiative should include a hotline especially for University of Malta that can be accessible by students, enabling them to communicate with an institution specialising in mental health related issues whenever the need arises.

Health and Sports Primary Care Primary care should be heavily invested in to make sure that health centres provide almost all the clinical services required. Such services include investigations, appointments and emergency services, which would inevitably decrease the burden on Mater Dei Hospital. While acknowledging the work that has been done, we are proposing measures to: •

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Ensure that primary care services are equally disseminated around the Maltese Island, thus ascertaining that the quality of care is equal throughout Ensure appropriate training for employees in primary healthcare centres in order to maximize patient satisfaction

Safeguarding the holistic well-being Health is not only physical well-being but also mental. Therefore, we call on the government to prioritise holistic well-being, and we are proposing measures to: • •

Provide free counselling services in workplaces and educational institutions Make these counselling services available and known to all students and employees

Prevention is better than cure Diseases cost a lot for the economy to manage – involving expenses in hospital facilities, staff wages, treatments, amongst others. Therefore, it is much more efficient and less expensive to focus on the prevention facet of diseases. In order to do this, the government must keep in mind the socioeconomic determinants of health, and incorporate health in all its policies. Promotion of a healthier lifestyle is vital, and can be done through the proposals below by: • •

Restricting advertising for unhealthy food products Building infrastructure which allows citizens to carry out physical activity safely

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Providing incentives to catering establishments to provide free water Increasing taxation on unhealthy food, and take measures to make healthier food cheaper

Reduce Stigma No patient should suffer in silence. Some patients may be afraid to speak up and end up presenting to healthcare services for help at a stage where it is too late. Therefore, we propose to: • •

Centralise all acute services to Mater Dei Hospital Provide adequate rehabilitation centres in the community where they can be reintegrated with the rest of society.

Sports for everyone While the younger generation is becoming more and more active, there is still a high rate of inactivity. This needs to be tackled throughout the entire age demographic. Therefore, we propose: • •

To provide incentives for a variety of sports clubs to provide free sporting sessions to all ages Invest in less-renowned sports, making Maltese citizens aware of the wide variety of options to be physically active.

Sub-Committee Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Celine Talbot John Charles (JC) Fenech Nefertiti Bikin-kita Néhémie Bikin-kita Beppe Galea Carla Galea Steve Zammit Lupi Dirk Urpani Jordy Borg Mike Borg Gillian Asciak Fleur Abela Kaitlyn Byrne Shanice Borg