An investment of Lm500,000 is being poured into the complete refurbishment of the Guzè Delia primary school in Siggiewi and the construction of a multi-purpose hall, which would also serve the community, said Education Minister Louis Galea.

Arrangements have been made for lessons to continue in safety, while works are under way during the coming scholastic year.

Dr Galea yesterday toured the school, which is frequented by 600 boys and girls between kindergarten and the primary levels.

The Siggiewi primary lacked a hall where students could carry out artistic activities, such as music, dance and drama.

The new and modern hall would seat 500 persons and is being equipped with the required facilities, including a large lift, an underground warehouse and changing rooms, among others.

Dr Galea said the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools project is divided into two phases, the first consisting of the building of more classrooms and the modernisation of others, ensuring that they are up to curriculum standards.

Ceilings have to be rebuilt to support more floors and other structural work is being undertaken.

The classrooms are to be equipped with removable walls for maximum flexibility, Dr Galea said.

Works were proceeding at a good rhythm and the project was expected to take two years to complete.

In the coming months, the foundation would be setting up and supervising a scheme whereby industrial government workers, within the Education Division, would be providing regular maintenance programmes in schools.

The idea is for all government schools to be upgraded to offer a positive environment that encourages learning and development, the minister said.

The foundation, together with the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority was working towards choosing a number of sites on which to build new primary and secondary schools in the future, Dr Galea said.