No air conditioning in around three quarters of Maltese schools

Jun 28 2021

Statistics obtained by Times of Malta have shown that around three-quarters of state-run schools lack air conditioning, despite petitions by parents two years ago. This is especially concerning considering that Malta is currently facing a record-breaking heatwave, leaving classrooms intensely hot. Many will start summer school in mid-July as the school year comes to an end, and they will have to face the current heat wave which has no end in sight yet.

According to the Education Ministry, just 31 out of 112 government schools have air condition units. Installation plans only concern 17 other schools. Education Minister Justyne Caruana acknowledged the issue, admitting the many messages parents sent her. A spokesperson for the ministry revealed that installing air conditioning in schools requires extra loading on electrical systems of buildings.

With many school buildings being quite old, new infrastructural work would have to be undertaken. The Education Minister stated she has instructed ministry officials to draft up plans over a number of years. It was also revealed by Marco Bonnici, president of Malta Union of Teachers, that schools built in the past decade lacked cooling systems in most classrooms.

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Photo Source: Pixabay, Justyne Caruana FB

Wolly, Herman Vassallo’s pet pig, passes away

Jun 28 2021

Fashion designer Herman Vassallo’s pet pig Wolly has sadly passed away. Herman posted to Facebook stating ‘And here is another heartbreaking goodbye! GOODBYE bubu wolly today I got to kiss your funny nose one last time.’

Herman expressed how deeply he will miss Wolly, who gave him 3 amazing years full of adventure, love, laughter and indescribable happiness. Herman shared some adorable photographed moments of him and Wolly cuddling up and enjoying their time together.

He bid farewell to Wolly, stating that he will never forget his adorable pet pig. Rest in peace Wolly and condolences to you Herman.

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Photo Source: Herman Vassallo FB

More than 75,000 trees planted in the last 7 years

Jun 28 2021

Starting 2013 going into June of this year, it was revealed that more than 75,000 trees were planted. The statistical information was revealed in Parliament following a parliamentary question. The trees and bushes were being planted yearly by ‘Ambjent Malta.’ If one does not count trees planted in 2021, an average of around 8,400 were being planted yearly around Malta and Gozo.

The rate of planting was not the same per year, as these past seven years, except for 2015, more trees were planted than the preceding year. There was a huge increase if one notes the planting from 2013 up to 2020. From 2013 to 2020, Malta saw an increase of 47% of trees and bushes being planted by Ambjent Malta.

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Photo Source: Aaron Farrugia FB

Public garden on Liceo’s rooftop announced

Jun 28 2021

Minister for the Environment Aaron Farrugia announced on Facebook that a €1 million investment into Hamrun’s Liceo will see the instalment of a public garden on its rooftop. The school will be welcoming a green addition to its premises which both students and the public can access. This garden will be built as part of several projects which will see the greenification of multiple Maltese urban areas.

Minister Farrugia stated that this garden, upon completion, will serve as a recreational area for Hamrun. The minister also stated that there will be several interventions for the rooftop’s structural integrity, a reservoir and several furniture for a more appealing aesthetic. The project was made possible after funds from ‘Ambjent Malta’ and the Planning Authority were acquired.

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Photo Source: Aaron Farrugia FB