Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said this evening that his ministry wanted to ensure that new building in state schools was functional for educational purposes, more than just aesthetically pleasing.

Replying to questions in parliament, he said that one of the first things he had learnt on taking office was that whenever it rained, teachers and students at the new multi-million school at Zokkrija, Mosta, got wet because the school was formed of several blocks which had no sheltered walkways.

It appeared that the architects thought that Malta only had summers, as if that was not bad enough, the minister said.

Yet when he raised the issue at the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools, someone had pointed to how the school was aesthetically pleasing - as if that was the main consideration.

Mr Bartolo said buildings had to be functional, and in future consultation would be held with educators and students. Sheltered walkways would be erected at Mosta school.

The minister was unable to say how much had been spent on the maintenance of schools this summer, and said the target was to spend €15m in three years. He roughly calculated that €5m were spent this summer.