The Education Ministry has announced a €3 million project for the extensive refurbishment of Kercem Primary School in Gozo.

The project involves project an extensive upgrade of the existing primary school with the intention that the school will have modern, accessible and comfortable educational spaces for the children and educators.

Education Minister Justyne Caruana explained that, “we are talking about a building that has various challenges and therefore through this project we will see not only a new building totally restructured but also new services and facilities that our children need to have a truly holistic education.”

She added that, “we will also see the improvement of the sports facilities that this school has that will not only benefit the students but also the community in general. Meaning that this is not only and investment in our children but also an investment for the whole locality.”

The Minister said that in Gozo, the government, through the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools, is investing around € 35 million in the extensive refurbishment of schools, including primary schools in Victoria, Nadur, Zebbug, Kercem and Gharb. This apart from the €8 million for a sensory-hydrotherapy pool at the school in Sannat.

She added that in Malta there is another investment of € 50 million that the government is investing in the education sector at the infrastructure level in addition to the infrastructure investment in Gozo.

The Primary School in Kercem, which forms part of the Gozo College, is located in a two storey building which was built in 1923 this project will see the building modernised for today’s needs, Dr Caruana said.

In addition to the extensive work to be carried out both the interior and exterior of the school, the project will include the redesign of open and recreational spaces, as well as the creation of new spaces for teaching extracurricular subjects.

Through the project, the accessibility of the building will be addressed so that it is in accordance with the law. The outdoor recreation areas will be changed to include non-slip concrete surfaces and artificial turf. New services will be installed as part of the project, including new electricity, water and sewerage service, security cameras, internet connectivity, alarm and fire safety services. Energy efficient measures will also be introduced in the building as required by law.

So that the work can be carried out at a fast pace and for the safety of children and educators, teaching will be provided in temporary classrooms in the same existing school premises. This will be done so that children can continue to learn in their school environment in which they are accustomed, the Minister said.

The project is in the hands of the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools.

The Education Ministry advised that the project tender will be published in the coming weeks.

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