The government has published a request for proposals for the conversion of the former Mtarfa hospital into an international school, with the chosen investors also tasked with the running of the school.

Addressing a press conference on Friday afternoon, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said that investors would have three months to submit their bids, in line with EU procedures.

The selected party, the minister insisted, must have a "good track record" in the running of primary and secondary schools.

A board will be set up to evaluate all the submissions while a technical board will also be appointed to ensure that the work plan submitted is implemented as submitted.

The government will rent the site for €50,000 for the first five years, going up to €125,000 in the following five years. After that, the rate will increase by 8 per cent every five years.

The concession would be for 40 years, the minister said.

"The programme must be an internationally accredited one. Those attending the school must be able to leave the school with the qualifications that enable them to continue their studies if they opt to move elsewhere.

"The need for such an institution has become essential because in order to attract investments, people are asking about the education system and most of the time their decision is based on where the children will attend school," Mr Bartolo explained.

The RFP will be available online as from Friday afternoon.