Bad state of Liceo Vassalli

I have been following the progress, if any, regarding the structural and general environment conditions for the last two years at Liceo M.A.Vassalli, Tal-Óandaq, which my 12-year-old son attends.

Since I had forwarded a similar letter to the Director of Planning of the Education Division (dated November, 2004) and still I have no reply to my queries, I am copying here the contents of this letter perhaps the public and I will receive some official information.

I have tried, so far unsuccessfully, to get official information, which will set the minds of hundreds of families at rest, regarding the future plans, if any, to compensate for the very bad basic physical state of this school. We and other parents before us were always told, at least for the last 10 years, that the school is earmarked for major refurbishment and rebuilding but without any target dates.

The school's physical state and its environment are far below what one expects in the 21st century and they are much worse than when the building was used by the British Services up to some 35 years ago.

Now it is only a few metres away from a big industrial area, which almost surrounds it. To add insult to injury this industrial area was allowed to expand, as was the adjacent solvent factory. Some of the water runoff from the resurfacing of the industrial area's roads was directed through the heart of the school. Besides, a fireworks factory is situated just metres to the south of the school.

Our satisfaction on learning that our boys had passed the junior lyceum exams did not last long after we attended the first parents' meeting (in August 2003). We were shocked to see the school's actual condition, including basic things like furniture, pathways, fans, windows, extractor fans, doors, some interiors, corrugated roofs and landscape.

After voicing our concerns, the headmaster informed us officially that due to previous decisions (not taken by him), major maintenance or upgrading was not performed as the school was earmarked for major rebuilding, which led to this state.

We were also told by the school administration that they had presented 18 urgent requisitions to the Education Division for its approval - all movable items to be used in the school. We were also officially informed that the school would be rebuilt, possibly in another area, but were not given any target date.