About 20,000 schoolchildren have benefited from Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna summer Hands-on-Heritage programme over the 11 years that it has been organised, and the numbers keep increasing every time, said its chairman and CEO Mario Farrugia.

This year's sessions are attracting around 1,000 students. They were launched at the Upper Barrakka's Saluting Battery yesterday, where a group of nine- to 11-year-olds from the Ċentru Skola Sajf of Floriana started to learn about both the artillery and the time-keeping aspect of the historical venue - the latest addition to the sites where the educational programmes with a twist are being held.

As the name suggests, the programme has a practical approach and the idea is to make it as "exciting" as possible to engage the children's interest in history, its aim being to raise awareness of Malta's cultural heritage, Mr Farrugia said.

The non-conventional classes are providing an innovative, interactive way of learning through direct activities.

The programme sees summer school students visiting one of the foundation's sites, where animators take on the role of teachers, using period instruments and tools to help the students understand the more complex elements of Maltese history.

The Saluting Battery has the most cannons, but few know how they were constructed and functioned, Mr Farrugia said, adding that the educational service is also being offered at Fort Rinella, the Malta at War Museum, Kordin III prehistoric temples and Notre Dame Gate in Vittoriosa.

Mr Farrugia yesterday launched a teacher's pack and children's workbook, specifically created for the Saluting Battery, and which would soon be extended to the other sites under the foundation's patronage and can be downloaded from its website.

Bank of Valletta has been supporting FWA on the programme for 11 years, said Michael Galea, executive head CEO's office at the bank.