The first phase of works on the Sir Adrian Dingli junior lyceum in Pembroke would be completed by the beginning of the school year this October, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

The building originally housed a military hospital.

The Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools will be spending Lm2 million on the refurbishment of the school, Lm600,000 of which is being spent on the first phase of works, which encompasses one of the three school blocks.

The school was yesterday visited by Education Minister Louis Galea (picture).

The classrooms in the first block have been fitted out with aluminium, double-glazed windows, new flooring, new electricity, water and computer networks and false ceilings including fire-fighting systems, fans and lighting.

Once all the blocks have been refurbished, the school will have 50 classrooms, each with its own resource room, seven science laboratories, art rooms and other specialised rooms. It will be accessible to people with disability.

All the works should be completed by October 2003.