Nearly half of State schools do not have a functioning fire alarm system, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Education Ministry documents show that only 71 of the 127 State-run schools, institutes and colleges across Malta and Gozo have fire alarms that work. The rest either have no fire alarm system in place at all, the equipment is damaged or only have partial cover, mostly limited to open-air yards or main halls.
This information emerges as the government pledges to reform health and safety standards following a number of tragic incidents last year.
Though no major fires were recorded in schools in recent years, the issue of fire safety in public buildings was raised in a series of questions tabled in Parliament last January.
The heads of those schools listed as not having fire alarms declined to comment when contacted by this newspaper, saying the questions should be directed to the Education Ministry.
In a statement, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo yesterday said he was fully committed to continue investing in health and safety in schools including, but not exclusively, fire alarms.
“Over the past three years, a considerable investment has taken place which improved the...
