(Adds PN statement)

The Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools (FTS) is currently cleaning up illegal dumping of construction waste that took place by external suppliers during the construction phase of the school in Żokrija, the Education Ministry said.

It said in a brief statement it has asked the FTS to review the processes of this work, make sure all permits for works werein place and address any shortcomings in such processes.

The Opposition yesterday held a news conference on site to say that works on the school had continued even though they were stopped by the planning authority.

Earlier, the foundation, which has applied for a permit to carry out the work, insisted the vehicles on site were removing illegally dumped material and restoring the arable land to its original character, in line with Mepa policies.

But when the authority sent its enforcement officer, it emerged that the work was for a proposed access passageway and a gate to the field.

While removing the debris does not require a permit, creating the passageway and gate could not be done without the authority’s permission.

The site is located opposite Maria Regina boys’ secondary school in Triq il-Biedja.

In a statement, the PN said the ministry’s reaction was confirmation that the work was illegal and without permit.

This, it said, was another example that the PN was making a difference even from the Opposition.