This project involved the extensive refurbishment of the existing primary school. It was intended to offer a modern, accessible, and comfortable educational spaces for our children and educators.
The Nadur Primary School, which forms part of the Gozo College, is housed in a two-storey building that was built at the beginning of the twentieth-century. The building is spread over 5,000 square meters and is located in an Urban Conservation Area.
In addition to the refurbishment of the school, the project included the redesign of open and recreational spaces, as well as the creation of a new space for learning extra-curricular subjects, including a dance studio, music room, literacy room, theater studio, and art classes. Through the project the school was completely made accessible to all.
In the building we also introduced energy efficient measures, as well as provided shading areas within the outdoor recreational space. Through this refurbishment, the Nadur Primary School has become almost carbon neutral, we have increased the use of renewable energy, and reduced the demand for energy by at least 30%.
As part of the project, we’ve installed new services, such as lighting, water, sewerage, CCTV, internet connection, alarms, and fire safety services.
This project was done with a capital investment in excess of €6.3 million and FTS obtained EU funds for it. This project was funded under the NextGenerationEU Programmes by means of Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The primary school has a population of about 200 children, as well as about 30 educators. The project was ready for the 2023-2024 scholastic year.
In September 2023, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the project which was nearing completion.
President Ursula von der Leyen said that for her it’s a wonderful opportunity to visit this school. She said that she is “very glad that the school is now highly energy efficient, has spacious classrooms, better air quality and the air-conditioning is powered by the school’s own PV panels… that is smart”. On the new digital equipment she said that “it was amazing to see how modern and digitised the school now is”. On the pupils and the environment, she said that “the children looked very much at ease. It is heart-warming to see that. The environment plays a big role on how you are going into life, into your school, and how the teaching is successful”.
Prime Minister Robert Abela defined the Nadur Primary School project as an example of how buildings should be constructed in the future. He said that the school is part of a tangible difference that will leave a positive impact in the community. The Prime Minister thanked the European Commission and its President for the NextGenerationEU programme because this is a means of promoting wealth even among island regions such as Gozo.
