Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543228
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS €3.2 million overhaul underway at Kercem primary school KERĊEM Primary School in Gozo is undergoing a full-scale transformation through a €3.2 million infrastructure invest- ment aimed at modernising and upgrading the existing facilities. The project will see extensive refurbishment works carried out at the school, providing students, educators and staff with modern, accessible and comfortable educational spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Education Minister Clift- on Grima and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri visited the site on Thursday to inspect works being carried out by the Foun- dation for Tomorrow's Schools. During the visit, the ministers also met students who are cur- rently attending classes in tem- porary, high-standard prefab- ricated classrooms installed to ensure a safe and quality learn- ing environment while renova- tion works continue at the main building. Grima said the government is implementing wide-ranging re- forms in the education sector, including significant upgrades to educational infrastructure. "Through the investment we are making in the education sector, we are modernising the environment in which our chil- dren receive their education and in which our educators teach," he said. "In Gozo alone, there is substantial investment in this field — not only through the €18 million Rabat Educational Complex, which is unique of its kind, but also in schools across the island." Camilleri said the government is continuing to strengthen in- vestment in education in Gozo, following the completion of a new primary school and the ex- tension and refurbishment of the middle school in Rabat. "Works are now also progress- ing extensively at Kerċem Pri- mary School, among others," he said. "As we did at Nadur school, we implemented solutions to al- low students to continue learn- ing in the same environment while works are ongoing in the existing building." The extensive renovation and embellishment project, includ- ing the installation of new fur- niture, is expected to be com- pleted next year. From the 2026 scholastic year, students attend- ing Kerċem Primary School are set to begin learning in a fully modernised facility. Kerċem Primary School, part of Gozo College, is housed in a two-storey building constructed in 1921 and spread across ap- proximately 1,200 square me- tres. In addition to the comprehen- sive refurbishment of the build- ing, the project includes the re- design of open and recreational spaces and the creation of new areas dedicated to extracurricu- lar subjects. FOLLOWING the closure of Pro- ject Green's Expression of Interest (EOI) for the supply of trees under the recently launched Tree Plant- ing Initiative, a total of 21 tree suppliers from across Malta and Gozo have expressed their inter- est to participate, Project Green annouced. "Fifteen suppliers have success- fully completed the evaluation process and are expected to sign the contract in the coming days. The remaining six suppliers are still undergoing evaluation and will be added to Project Green's list of approved tree suppliers once they comply with EOI eligi- bility criteria." These approved suppliers will serve as Project Green's official tree suppliers, from whom benefi- ciaries may acquire trees through the initiative. Eligible beneficiar- ies will receive a digital voucher, which can be redeemed with any of the approved suppliers. Meanwhile, Project Green said more than 2,000 registrations from landowners who expressed interest in acquiring trees for planting late last year are current- ly undergoing verification. "This process ensures that applicants meet the eligibility criteria. Pro- ject Green is contacting all appli- cants individually, and the verifi- cation process will continue over the coming days and weeks until completed." The Tree Planting Initiative was launched in October 2025 through an Expression of Interest for Participation (EOIP), invit- ing landowners across Malta and Gozo to participate in an initiative that supports agroforestry prac- tices and climate resilience. The initiative includes both productive and non-productive trees, pro- moting sustainable land use. Further information will be pro- vided as the verification process progresses. For further information please call servizz.gov's Freephone 153 (Ext. 20) or email on treeplant- ing@projectgreen.mt The Tree Planting Initiative attracts 21 suppliers across Malta and Gozo Education Minister Clifton Grima and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri visited the site on Thursday to inspect works being carried out by the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools These approved suppliers will serve as Project Green's official tree suppliers, from whom beneficiaries may acquire trees through the initiative