Luqa’s schoolchildren took centre stage yesterday with organised dance, singing and folk performances as Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated the locality’s primary school, which cost Lm1 million to rebuild.

The children were marvellous throughout, delivering a rendition of the national anthem, a Czech folk dance, the school’s anthem and other songs. The choir formed as soon as Prime Minister Gonzi arrived and began to sing the national anthem, but what was even more endearing to see was that each and every child – no matter how young – knew all the words.

The ceremony was led by two of the older students, Ritienne and Sean – who were on the ball throughout. Dr Gonzi was accompanied by Education Minister Louis Galea who, in his usual style, fitted right in with the children as soon as he arrived, taking it upon himself to chat with some of them, arrange the ties of others and tap his foot and hum along to all the performances.

Dr Gonzi also clearly enjoyed himself, laughing and joking with the children, particularly enjoying the Czech folk dance – sung in Czech by a Maltese student. Dr Gonzi’s foot began to tap in time to Dr Galea’s, but he broke into genuine laughter when the dance ended with a foot stomping session by the boys.

Equally brilliant was the performance of the younger children, some pretending to walk up onto the rostrum with bikes, others flicking each other and clearly enjoying the event. They sang a song called Is there a voice for children with much gusto – bringing about the oddly pleasurable discord that only younger children can when they sing a song together – some out of key, some off tempo – but as said – it was that lovely cacophony that everyone enjoys.

Ritienne and Sean outshone all the speakers at the event, announcing the various modifications that the school underwent.

It has been totally transformed, with a new storey built on the existing ground floor. The classrooms are all bright and airy, all walls having been knocked down and replaced to make rooms bigger. They also described the new additions to the school, including the synthetic turf pitch, an art room, personal and social development room, print shop, computer lab, music room, and various others, including a new modern wide hall with a stage.

Headmistress Carmen Tedesco gave a brief history of schooling in Luqa, pointing out that 150 years ago, schooling started out in two Luqa houses, teaching grammar, catechism, reading and writing.

She said that in 1927, construction of the present building began and it was completed three years later in 1930. In 1941, the school was requisitioned by the RAF, with it being close to the airfield during the war. She said that lessons continued throughout the war in people’s houses and in bomb shelters – but not one child was ever hurt in the conflict.

She also thanked the Luqa parish priest for allowing the school to use the church hall for lessons while the renovation work was being carried out. She said that the school is modern and the environment in which it is set, coupled with the attitude of the teachers, made it a pleasure for children to go to school and learn.

Dr Gonzi gave a very frank speech afterwards and said that of all the activities he attends as head of government, nothing gave him more pleasure than attending the opening of a new school.

“In my book, there is nothing better than giving children the tools they need to shape their own destiny. It was not easy; students’ lives were disrupted while the construction work was under way. But look what happens when we all work together for a common cause,” he said, looking around him at the school.

Dr Gonzi said that everyone had to make sacrifices – but the results are now there for all to see. “And that is the situation Malta is in. We have to make sacrifices, but we will see long-term benefits for those sacrifices. An uphill climb is always difficult, but it gives you so much satisfaction when you get to the top,” he said.

Dr Gonzi urged Malta not to be afraid of change. “We are working for our very own future and the future of our children. It is one big adventure,” said Dr Gonzi.

Dr Gonzi said that we Maltese sometimes take things for granted. “Education is the pillar that supports everything else. Foreigners ask how we managed to make a successful life on this rock. And the answer is education, it feeds every other aspect of a country,” he said.

Dr Gonzi, said that the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools was to spend some Lm60 million on school projects and that Lm20 million of those had already been spent.

“People might ask me to ease the burden – but to me the decision is a simple one – if I can spend Lm1 million to give these kids a future, I will,” he said.

He also urged parents not to force their children into professions. “You don’t have to be a lawyer or a doctor, you can be anything you want to be nowadays, there is so much to choose from,” said Dr Gonzi.

He also reserved praise for teachers, saying that they enjoy the faith of the Maltese public. “Malta is known for it, we don’t let our children out of our sight, but look – parents give you their children with open arms, and that is testament to the trust they have in you.”

He concluded by saying that the school in question was very much a model of what Malta should be – keeping the façade and radically altering the internal structure. “This school is a symbol of Malta’s future,” said the prime minister.

Education Minister Louis Galea also addressed those present.