All science laboratories in government secondary schools are being upgraded this summer as part of a €1.5m programme funded by the EU.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning visited a laboratory at Sta Lucia Secondary School, to see some of the new equipment being used.

He said the upgrading was part of a government drive to encourage more students to take up science subjects, since this was vital for Malta's continued economic development.

Dr Gonzi said that kindergarten and primary school pupils were also being exposed to science as part of this drive.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina, who accompanied the prime minister, also pointed out that vocational subjects would be introduced in government secondary schools from the 2011 scholastic year. She denied that any course fees would be charged, other than the tariffs for the internationally-recognised assessments, held every year.

She said that talks were also under way for the assessments to be recognised by the University of Malta as part of its entry criteria.

Parliamentary Assistant Franco Debono was also present.

There are 177 laboratories in state secondary schools.