---
title: "Alex Borg Warns of Educational Decline and Staff Shortages Ahead of School Year"
date: 2026-09-28T04:57:35.798+00:00
updated: 2026-09-28T08:01:29.569+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Education", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-28/alex-borg-warns-educational-decline-staff-shortages-ahead-school-year
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Alex Borg Warns of Educational Decline and Staff Shortages Ahead of School Year

## In brief

- Opposition leader Alex Borg described Malta's latest PISA scores as an urgent wake-up call for the education sector.
- Speaking at an event in Gozo, Borg raised concerns from parents regarding shortages of specialised support educators.
- The remarks come as students across the country prepare to return to state school classrooms for the new scholastic term.

Opposition leader Alex Borg has urged educational authorities to treat Malta's recent performance in international benchmarks as a critical warning sign for the state school system.

Addressing a political gathering in Għajnsielem, Borg highlighted recent outcomes from the Programme for International Student Assessment, known as PISA, an international study that measures the academic performance of 15-year-old pupils.

The Nationalist Party leader noted that the downward trend observed in these international assessments signals deeper challenges within public education that require prompt policy interventions.

Borg also highlighted growing concerns raised by families over inadequate numbers of Learning Support Educators (LSEs), specialised personnel who assist pupils with additional educational needs in the classroom.

The critique was delivered during preparations for the formal reopening of state schools, with thousands of students set to return to classrooms in the coming days.

Borg stressed that providing proper classroom resources and addressing weaknesses highlighted in global studies must take precedence to protect educational standards across Malta and Gozo.

The Nationalist Party has formally called for the convening of a national education conference, citing pressing concerns over Malta's performance in recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) studies.

Shadow minister Alex Borg highlighted the vital importance of the sector, asserting that education serves as the core foundation for future generations and requires urgent collective attention.

The proposed conference aims to gather educators, policymakers, and civil society to review structural issues within Maltese classrooms and establish long-term educational priorities.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Both outlets reported on the Nationalist Party's education proposals consistently without notable framing differences.

## Updates

- **2026-09-28:** Updated with the Nationalist Party calling for a national education conference following recent PISA results.

## Sources (4)

- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/alex-borg-flags-low-pisa-scores-students-return-school.1134734)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/144656/pn_calls_for_national_education_conference_after_poor_pisa_results)
- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/alex-borg-raises-alarm-over-maltas-pisa-scores-as-parents-flag-lse-shortages/)
- [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/09/27/l-edukazzjoni-hi-s-sinsla-tal-generazzjoni-ta-ghada-alex-borg/)

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