The Malta Independent on Sunday
Mtarfa primary school deemed ‘structurally safe’ by architect
● Survey carried out after TMIS report highlighting parents’ concerns
The Mtarfa primary school has been deemed “structurally safe” by an architect commissioned by the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools, and parents have been given access to the full report.
The architect’s inspection was carried out after a report carried in The Malta Independent on Sunday last week, which relayed parents’ concerns over the structural integrity of the 19th century building.
One particular section of the school is being propped up by concrete blocks while other parts of the school leak water when it rains, meaning that some classrooms and bathrooms have been put out of action.
Parents who spoke to this newspaper said they had been highlighting these concerns for quite a while but nothing was ever done. The Ministry for Education had confirmed that part of the school was being affected by structural issues caused by subterranean movements and said concrete blocks had been used to prop up that part of the building as an emergency measure. It also said that a number of experts had been engaged to draw up a plan outlining the permanent consolidation of the school.
After the publication of the report, the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools engaged an architect to carry out a full inspection at the site. Architect Joseph Attard has certified the school building “is structurally safe to be utilised for its intended public use.”
The report has been made public and has also been distributed among parents.
This newsroom was also invited to visit the school, where the school administration, FTS staff and Attard explained the report and the situation.
It was said that the fissures in one of the classrooms were noted in 2017. Subsequently, a ground investigation report was commissioned, and coring tests confirmed that there had been settlement movements in the foundation rock. A cast platform and concrete blocks were then placed against that part of the building to stabilise it.
Attard explained that the concrete structure had its desired effect and all settlement movement seems to have stopped. He added, however, that a more permanent solution would be used to strengthen the foundation, likely with the use of piles.
This area was cordoned off as a precautionary measure two years ago, when the cracks were first noted, but the rest of the school is accessible and does not show any signs of structural instability, Attard said, even though some normal day-to-day maintenance is required.
The architect said the Grade1 scheduled building will be restored and refurbished.
Asked about the water leaks, the architect said parts of the roof membrane had become damaged but were being repaired.
The school’s head, Joanne Mifsud, explained that the part of the school where the cracks had shown up in the walls has not been used for the past two years. As a result, one classroom had to be shifted to another part of the building but the school is operating fully, she explained.
The Mtarfa primary school, originally built as an Officers’ Mess by the British in 1893, currently hosts 110 students – from kindergarten to Year 6.
Ms Mifsud said parents and staff had been given a copy of the latest architect’s report. Asked whether they seemed to be satisfied by the conclusions of the report, Mifsud said this was the case.
The report is also available online, on the FTS website.
The head of school will also inform parents that, if they so wish, they can engage an architect of their own choice so that he or she can review the structural report with the FTS and ministry architects.
It was also emphasized that the ministry, the FTS and the school administration were in contact with the parents and the school council about the matter. A meeting of the school council has been scheduled for Wednesday at 9am. The MEDE and FTS architects will attend to explain the report.
The head of school will also ask the architect engaged by the parents, if any, to attend this meeting as well.
The most recent report was also requested by the OHSA, this newspaper was told.