New €8m state school to house 1,000 pupils

A new girls state secondary school being built in Ħandaq will open next year, with its foundation stone laid last week by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The 20,000-square metre school, being built at a cost of €8 million, will welcome 1,000 students within the St Ignatius College.

The school will be energy-efficient through the installation of photovoltaic panels, intelligent lighting, solar water heaters and water reservoirs.

Dr Gonzi announced that as of the next scholastic year, each classroom in state schools will be equipped with an interactive whiteboard.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister said the government was fulfilling its promise to open a new school every year.

Since the beginning of the legislature, 1,087 teachers and other professionals have been recruited in state schools, he said.

Nowadays, 2,202 children in public schools and 749 children in Church schools have a learning support assistant providing them with personal support in class.

The government also funds learning support assistants for 51 private school students.