Works are progressing on the new €22 million Naxxar primary school, which will accommodate around 1,000 children across 46 classrooms once completed, the government said in a statement.
The project will provide a modern and inclusive educational environment designed around current learning needs, with a range of facilities offering more opportunities for learning, creativity, sport and students' overall development.
Education and Sport Minister Byron Camilleri and European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti visited the school site together with representatives of the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools (FTS) to review progress on the new building.
The project is being co-financed by the European Union.
Spread over approximately 13,000 square metres, the school will include 46 classrooms, 20 of which will be for kindergarten, together with dedicated spaces for art, music and drama, sports and recreational facilities, a multi-sensory room, a library and a multi-purpose hall.
Around 3,000 square metres will be dedicated to outdoor activities, the statement said.
Camilleri said the project forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure investment in educational infrastructure translates into a quality learning environment which responds to students' different needs and provides them with greater opportunities to develop their skills and potential.
"When we invest in our schools, we are investing directly in our children and in the opportunities we want to give them for the future. A modern school should be much more than classrooms where learning takes place. It should be an environment where children can learn, explore, be creative, practise sport and discover their skills and talents," Camilleri said.
"This is why we are investing in quality and inclusive educational infrastructure designed around the different needs of our students. The new Naxxar school is a clear example of this direction."
Azzopardi Tanti said that "education is a fundamental pillar for our country's economic and social development. Therefore, through national and European funds, we are investing fully in this important sector through the project to rebuild the Naxxar primary school, so that students will have a better environment which will ultimately help their academic development."
The FTS, which is overseeing the implementation of the project, is also working to integrate the site's architectural and archaeological heritage into the new building.
Three façades of the old school, which have architectural value as examples of the post-Second World War Modern style, are being preserved and incorporated into the contemporary design of the new school.
Architect Nicholas Inguanez said one of the main elements of the design was safeguarding the existing architectural character while integrating it into a new, accessible building adapted to today's educational needs.
Works have also led to archaeological discoveries at the site, including a Punic tomb, a medieval reservoir and a Second World War shelter.
Architect Joseph Cachia said the FTS worked closely with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to preserve these remains, while the necessary adjustments were made to the project's design.
Despite the discoveries, all the facilities originally planned for the school will be retained.
The project is progressing according to schedule, the statement said.
Following the demolition of the old building, with the exception of the three façades being preserved, excavation works were carried out, a modern reservoir for the storage of rainwater was constructed and work was carried out on the foundations.
Construction has also started on the hall, which will be located below street level.
The school will be equipped with new services and infrastructure, air-conditioning and security systems, connectivity, furniture designed to encourage greater inclusion in learning, and energy-efficiency measures, including photovoltaic panels.
The library will also be able to open to the community outside school hours.