The refurbishment project at the School of Music had no connection with the concept of the opening of new branches and expansion of the school, lifelong learning director Mario Azzopardi said.
He said in a statement that from the next academic year, the School of Music shall embark on a long-term project of expansion.
“The vision is to have a Central School of Specialisation with a network of branches in various regions around the islands.
“Eventually, among other musical activities, these centres will be providing courses in music appreciation and music tuition at basic levels in various instruments and music theory under the direction of the School of Music.”
Successful students would have the opportunity to audition and proceed to the central school to pursue their studies at more advanced levels.
This would enable many families to benefit from music education opportunities closer to home. It would also provide a larger quantity of prospective students who would want to further their studies at the central school, upon completion of their first basic courses offered by the school in its new branches. The central school will then become a centre of specialisation.
Mr Azzopardi said that the opening of new branches in 2010-2011 will be coordinated according to the number of new applications.
He said that teachers at the school of music had written to the minister requesting refurbishment. An architect visited the premises and structural alterations were recommended. To ensure the safety and well-being of teachers, staff and students, it was decided to temporarily close the school during the refurbishment period.
So school activity and courses which incorporated the current student population and the teachers were to be hosted in a few centres close to Valletta.
The temporary relocation would be coordinated by the school administration in the best way possible to ensure the smooth running of the present school activity and cause the least inconvenience.
The school, Mr Azzopardi said, would be requiring full cooperation from parents and students but the refurbishment project had no connection with the concept of the opening of new branches and expansion of the school, since the current school activity and courses would not be relocated around Malta, but concentrated in the least number of venues, possibly close to Valletta.
Once the premises were completed, the school would be housed in a modern and adequate building, which would meet all amenities and be fully equipped with all the required facilities. Concurrently, the new branches would have started to show the first results, and hopefully, the number of students pursuing music courses of the School of Music around the islands would have increased in number and quality.
This would lead to a raised standard at entry level to the new central school, enabling the current teaching staff to guide prospective students at the central school towards more openings and opportunities in the music sector.
The Directorate of Lifelong Learning said it regretted any misunderstandings caused by a few individuals who misinterpreted the ongoing consultations and plan of coordination which was being discussed between the directorate and the school’s administration.