Considerable changes have been made to the botanical section of the Argotti Gardens, and schools are now being invited for tours of the gardens to promote their education value.

Over the last few years, this section of the gardens has been extensively renovated and a purpose-built herbarium to house a collection of dried plants has also been constructed.

Schools have been invited to take organised tours of the gardens throughout the scholastic year. The one-hour-long visit includes a short walk, a tour of the gardens and some practical assignments.

The group should comprise not more than 25 students who must be accompanied by a teacher.

Tours for two groups from the same school can be made during the same morning.

Students from grade three in primary school to form five and even sixth forms students are welcome and the talks and tours will be adapted to suit different age groups.

Separate arrangements can also be made for biology, ecology and geography teachers, who can bring their groups for botany-related lectures and practical assignments.

The tours will be held on Thursday and Friday mornings and are strictly by appointment. The school visits are a joint initiative between the University of Malta and the Curriculum Department (Education Division) of the Education, Youth and Employment Ministry.

This year, all primary and secondary school students who visit the Argotti Botanical Gardens will be able to participate in a drawing competition and the best pieces will be exhibited at a future date. Primary and secondary school students will be asked to draw a colour poster entitled My Visit to Argotti Gardens. Book tokens will be awarded to winners of the two categories.

The school with the greatest number of entries in each category will also be rewarded for their effort – 10 indigenous trees or plants will be donated to be used within the school premises.