The number of students who choose to continue studying after compulsory education has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and the Government aims to continue investing heavily in education.

In a two-hour visit to Attard’s State primary yesterday – considered to be one of the best schools – Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said latest statistics showed that 83 per cent of students were choosing to pursue post-secondary education.

“We are very encouraged with these results as they show we are making the right investment in the country,” he added.

Dr Gonzi said that during the past legislature the Government had built a new school every year, costing €30 million, and continued to pump millions into transforming schools into technological hubs with computers and Wi-Fi systems installed in all schools.

He said that 2,300 classrooms in State schools were equipped with interactive whiteboards and 160 laboratories had been built to increase studies in scientific subjects.

Without referring directly to the PN’s promise of giving a tablet computer to all students and teachers , Dr Gonzi said the Government considered technology as just another tool to be used in schools.

Meanwhile, in a visit to Eurostar, a rabbit breeding farm in Magħtab, Dr Gonzi said the Government had invested some €100 million of EU funds in the sector.

“While before accession many were saying the sector would not be able to cope with EU rules, we now know this was not true as the sector has flourished. Consumers are also getting a better product,” he said.

Bertu Bonnici – the owner of the farm – said that he would not have invested without EU funds.

“We’ve invested €300,000 in this farm and got €150,000 from the EU. Without this help I would have closed down,” he told Dr Gonzi.