Education Minister Evarist Bartolo this morning some of the schools where maintenance works are being carried out.

The ministry said €20 million were committed by the Education Ministry through the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools for construction works in schools this year. Over the summer months, €8 million worth of maintenance and construction works are being carried out across 40 schools in Malta and Gozo.

Alterations are needed to allow for the development of middle schools and co-educational teaching. In addition, vital repairs are being carried out to some buildings after a long period of neglect.

The minister visited works being carried out at the National Sports School in Pembroke where a €1.6 million project is currently underway. Once works are finalised, the school will cater for 225 students.

He also visited Cospicua to see the extension to St Margaret’s College, formerly a girls’ secondary school and now a middle school. €2.1 million were spent on this school and the second phase of the project will be finished in 2015. The area covering the school after works are finalised will be of 6000 metres squared, an increase of 2271 metres squared. A new block is being built along with two extensions to create space; eventually it will accommodate 500 students.

Elsewhere, CCTV cameras have been installed in almost all co-ed middle schools, classroom furniture has been replaced and new sanitary facilities installed.

“I am pleased to see that hard work has continued during the summer to make these schools ship-shape for the start of the new term. Our children and their educators deserve good facilities. It is important to create environments that make learning enjoyable and rewarding,” Mr Bartolo said.

"The investment of €20 million for this year shows Government's commitment to education and following last year's vast works, this year we have continued to increase the budget for school maintenance across Malta and Gozo."

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