Momentum has taken aim at the government over Malta’s latest PISA results, arguing that declining scores in core subjects expose serious problems within the country’s education system.The party said Maltese students registered declines in reading, mathematics and science, with results falling below the OECD average across all three areas and a higher-than-average share of low-performing students.Momentum described the figures as an “international verdict” on the government’s handling of education, accusing it of focusing on announcements and publicity while student outcomes deteriorated.“The government cannot hide behind press conferences and brochures,” Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin said.“We strongly believe that education must stop being treated as a political football where reforms are measured by partisan points rather than student success.”The party warned against responding to poorer results by lowering entry requirements or making syllabi easier, arguing that such measures would merely mask the underlying problems.Instead, Momentum is calling for an independent national review of government education policies alongside a comprehensive literacy and numeracy recovery programme with measurable targets.It also wants targeted measures addressing student absenteeism and classroom disorder, more support for educators, greater transparency around educational outcomes, and a review of the college-based system used in state schools.Momentum questioned whether the latter has reduced the autonomy and accountability of individual schools and limited their ability to respond to the specific needs of their students.The party argued that Malta’s educational performance has consequences beyond the classroom, warning that falling standards in core subjects could undermine efforts to attract high-value industries and develop a knowledge-based economy.However, Camilleri Gambin stressed that education should not simply be about preparing people for employment.“Before we develop workers, we must develop human beings who are empathetic and independent thinkers with strong character,” he said.Momentum ultimately called for a broader rethink of Malta’s approach to education rather than what it described as another standalone PR exercise.“Our students are showing to be resilient and they, together with educators, deserve better than excuses, spin, and political self-congratulation,” Camilleri Gambin concluded. “Malta deserves an education system that prepares young people to thrive as well-rounded citizens and compete with the best in the world.”What do you make of this?•