PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR EDUCATION AND SPORT 37,771 students will start the new scholastic year in state schools

Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri said that, “Every one of these 37,771 students deserves a safe, modern school and a teacher who believes in them. That is where our investment goes, and we wish every student, parent and educator a good year ahead.”

This scholastic year, so far, 36,457 students are using free school transport: 15,370 from state schools and 21,087 from Church and independent schools. 

The service is free for every eligible student from KG1 to Year 11 living more than 1 km from their school, across 207 schools.

The Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools has over €110 million in projects under way, including:

• ⁠A hydrotherapy complex for children with disability at San Miguel, Pembroke, ready by end-2026.

• In Gozo, Kerċem primary opens its doors this year, and works on Żebbuġ primary start soon. Sports facilities, halls and parking in new schools are open to the community after school hours.

• A new EU co-funded primary school in Naxxar, opening next year;

• A new primary school in Mellieħa with a hall and sports facilities;

• An extensive refurbishment of San Ġorġ primary in Ħal Qormi.

This year, 142 new regular teachers and 45 new supply teachers were engaged.

Around €2 million was invested in 160 maintenance projects over the summer, covering classrooms, roofs, toilet blocks, play areas and furniture by Edu Infrastructure.

Under the EDU Infrastructure Programme, Valletta Primary School will also open its doors after undergoing a €2.2 million renovation. Works included air conditioning and photovoltaic panels, accessible bathrooms on every floor, sensory-friendly colours and finishes for students with autism, upgraded safety systems, and new outdoor sports facilities with artificial grass.

Other projects are under way in parallel, including at schools in Birkirkara, Blata l-Bajda and Sliema, among others.