Education Minister Louis Galea and the Msida St Joseph Football Club yesterday signed an agreement under which the club can make use of the sports facilities, including a football ground, at Junior Lyceum in Hamrun after school hours.

The agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Frans Borg, and by the Msida St Joseph Football Club president, Robert Farrugia, vice-president Charles Debono and honorary president Antoine Portelli.

Dr Galea said that this agreement is one of many that are being signed with sports organisations, for the community to make use of state school facilities after school hours. The government is investing in schools to create a better environment for learning and education, which will not only benefit students, but the whole community.

“Last week the national sports conference was held. During the conference, the importance of including education and physical activity in children’s lives was discussed,” he said.

As a result the government is increasing investment and incentives for sports organisations, including making use of school grounds after school hours.

“This agreement will guarantee that the facilities will be used by students during school hours and in extra curricular activities,” he said.

The St Joseph Msida football club president said the agreement would be highly beneficial to the children and youths of Msida, who, until yesterday, did not have anywhere to play, or train.

“We will work hand-in-hand with the school, and we have great faith that a lot of good will be done,” he said.

The new ground forms part of an extensive project that is being carried out in different phases so that students will still be able to attend school while the work is being done.