€21.5 million Naxxar primary school project to accommodate 1,000 students

A new primary school being built in Naxxar at an estimated cost of €21.5 million will accommodate around 1,000 children and include modern classrooms, sports facilities, community spaces and energy-efficient systems, the government said.

The project involves the rebuilding of the Dun Karm Scerri Primary School in Naxxar, within the Maria Regina College, with the existing façade being retained while a completely new school is constructed behind it.

During a site visit, Education Minister Clifton Grima said the development forms part of the government’s wider effort to transform educational infrastructure.

“This is another project that joins previous ones through which we are transforming the educational infrastructure environment. In this building we have retained the façade because of its characteristics, but inside we are building a completely new school,” Grima said.

The first phase of the project includes the demolition of the existing internal structure and construction of the new building. While the old school was spread over two floors, the new one will rise over five levels, including two basement floors for ancillary purposes and three floors above street level.

The government said the new design will respect the retained façade, while the newer parts of the building will use contemporary materials to distinguish the old from the new.

The school will include 46 classrooms, among them 20 kindergarten classes, as well as specialised rooms for subjects such as art, music and drama. It will also feature an industrial kitchen, sports facilities, recreational areas, a multi-sensory room and a hall for different uses.

A library will also be included and is expected to be opened to the community after school hours.

According to the government, circulation areas inside the school are being designed as flexible spaces that can be used both for recreation and more informal teaching, in an effort to maximise the use of the building.

The rooftop will include a “green fingers” area where students will be able to gain hands-on experience in caring for trees and plants.

Once the structural phase is completed, works will continue on services including electricity, water and drainage systems, internet connectivity, alarms, security cameras and fire safety installations. This will be followed by finishing works such as apertures, tiling, sanitary facilities, plastering, painting and soffits.

The project is being aligned with the Malta Vision 2050, particularly macro measure 66, which focuses on investment in accessible and inclusive educational infrastructure.

Grima said the investment was aimed directly at children and educators, providing them with a modern environment suited to present-day educational needs.

European Funds Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who also attended the visit, said the project showed how modern and sustainable educational facilities were being created to strengthen inclusive education and prepare future generations.

The government said the project is already at an advanced stage and is designed to address the growing need for digital and remote learning.

The building, which will cover around 13,000 square metres across five levels, will include 3,000 square metres dedicated to open-air activities. It will also be equipped with new furniture aimed at promoting inclusion in learning, while photovoltaic panels will be installed as part of its energy-efficiency measures.

The project is being co-financed by the European Union.

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