Education Minister Evarist Bartolo laid the first stone for the construction of a new Middle School in Kirkop this morning
A number of ancient tombs were found on site, and the design was modified to incorporate them into the complex.
The Middle school building will be 3,600m2 while the total size of the school will be 14,000m2, with construction costing €3 million and finishing costing €5 million.
The building is of an 'L' shaped design and will hold 480 students. It will form part of St Benedict college.
Minister Bartolo said that works are close to completion on a number of schools, such at the 6th form in Gozo and a middle school in Bormla. He stressed that so many buildings are being created as part of the education plan. He stressed that schools today go beyond just education, also helping develop social behaviour.
He mentioned the recent change from gender split schools to mixed schools, arguing that Malta was one of the last countries to make the move.
Turning to the archaeological finds, the Minister explained that while it does create construction problems, it also ties in Malta's historical culture with education.
Photos by Jonathan Borg.