Educational reforms cannot be successful without an intensive programme of building new schools and modernising others, said Education Minister Louis Galea as he inspected work being carried out at different government primary schools.

He announced that the government is investing Lm2.5m (EUR5.82million) in this regard.

Work includes the building of halls, improving sanitary systems, the installation of lifts and replacement of apertures and most of it is being carried out by the technical branch of the Education Division.

In the coming weeks, the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools (FTS) will start building a new hall at Marsaxlokk Primary School which, on completion, will also be available for use by the local community.

Later on this year, the FTS will open new halls at Mqabba, Siggiewi and Safi.

Dr Galea also revealed that a new Lm750,000

(EUR1.7 million) primary school will be built in Pembroke, while a further Lm350,000 (EURO 815,000) will be spent on embellishment work.