NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR ALL SCHOOLS ġ S.L.327.12 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.12
NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS
FOR ALL SCHOOLS REGULATIONS
1st January, 1991
LEGAL NOTICE 150 of 1990, as amended by Legal Notice 196 of 1994.
Citation.
Conditions for all Schools Regulations.
National minimum 
conditions.
Cap. 327.
2. The National minimum conditions, for all schools, for the
purpose of the Education Act, shall be those set out in the Schedule
to these regulations.
Amended by:
L.N. 196 of 1994.
SCHEDULE
National Minimum Conditions for all Schools
1. General
1.1 School premises must be suited to the type and level of
education provided.
1.2 They should be well ventilated, protected from heat, cold
and humidity, well lighted and with natural light and with suitably
high ceilings.
1.3 They must be kept clean, well maintained and in good
structural condition.
1.4 They must be free of hazards to safety and good health.
1.5 Schools accommodating more than 7 classes on a full-time
basis and for students of compulsory school age must be purposely
built as a school and are to contain the necessary out-door space for
the children’s recreation.
1.6 Space and classrooms must not be crammed but there
should be room for movement.
1.7 Classrooms are to have an entrance on to a main corridor;
the movement of pupils through other classes is to be avoided.
1.8 School entrances and exits on to main roads are to have
protective barriers to avoid accidents.
1.9 Where the number of students exceeds fifty of an age
below sixteen, a traffic sign indicating the presence of a school is to
be affixed as directed by the Police.
1.10 School premises are subject to inspection by Health
Inspectors at any time.
1.11 Schools housed in private premises are not to cause
inconvenience to neighbours.
2 ġ S.L.327.12 NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR ALL SCHOOLS
1.12 Schools are open to inspection by Education Department
officials at any time.
2. Classroom Space
2.1 The number of students up to compulsory school age, in
any one class is not to exceed 30.
2.2 In deciding the number of students that can be
accomodated in any one classroom;
2.2.1 a border, 2 metres wide, is to be left free as teacher’s
space.
2.2.2 a working space of 1 1 / 2  square metres is to be
allowed for each pupil over the age of 5 years.
2.2.3 a working space of 1 1 / 2  square metres may be
allowed in the case of children under 5 years of age, provided
that there also exists an indoor playing and movement area for
children. Otherwise classes will not exceed 20 children in
number and 3 square metres are to be allotted for each child in
the classroom.
2.2.4 In the case of adults over compulsory school age and
evening classes, a minimum of 1 square metre can be allotted
for each student not engaged in laboratory or workshop work.
2.3 The standard size of a classroom is to be 8 metres square.
3. Laboratories, Workshops, etc.
3.1 The number of students in any laboratory, workshop or
non-class area, in a school is to be related to the size of the space
and the use to which it is put.
3.2 Minimum accommodation requirements are 2 square
metres per student exclusive of teacher’s space and furniture/
machinery space. 
3.3 The maximum number of students allowed in any
workshop using craft machinery is 20.
3.4 Laboratories and workshops should be equipped with
adequate safety measures such as fume-cupboards, fire-
extinguishers, a first aid-box and electric circuit breakers.
Dangerous equipment and materials, tools and (other aids) which
present a hazard to health and safety should be under the direct
control of the teacher and properly stored. Machines are to have the
necessary safeguards and instructions on their proper use.
3.5 When dangerous material and equipment are necessarily to
be kept in a laboratory or workshop the danger is to be clearly
indicated.
3.6 Rooms used as theatres for the production of plays, the
exhibition of films, etc. to large groups of students are to be
equipped with the necessary fire-extinguishers and properly
indicated exits.
3.7 Laboratories, workshops, school theatres etc. are subject to
inspection by the proper authorities and are bound to comply with
existing regulations.
NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR ALL SCHOOLS ġ S.L.327.12 3
4. Toilet facilities
4.1 Schools are to have toilet facilities at the rate of 1 toilet per
35 pupils.
4.2 Schools which cater for the part-time/evening education of
adult students are to be adequately supplied with a minimum of two
toilets and an additional toilet for every 60 students attending the
premises at any one time.
4.3 The above does not include staff and teachers’ toilets.
4.4 Toilets are to be suited to the age and height of students
and pupils.
4.5 They are to be kept in good hygienic conditions, and have
cleaning materials and toilet paper available at all times.
4.6 There are to be wash-hand basins, equipped with soap and
towels, in the proportion of one per 35 pupils, or in the case of part-
time schools for adult students one per 60 students.
4.7 The wash-hand basins should be installed at a height suited
to the age and height of the students.
5. Drinking Water
5.1 All schools should have an adequate number of water taps
outside toilet areas, and the water should be potable from sources
which supply fresh running water.
6. Playground Space
6.1 Every school catering for the full-time education of
students of compulsory school age must have an adequate open-air
playing space where the students can take their recreation and long-
breaks.
6.2 In special cases, permission will be given to schools to use
in-door playground space provided this is strictly reserved for
recreation and unless an alternative site for an open-air playing
space can be obtained.
6.3 Schools catering for the education of children below
compulsory school age and on a bases of not more than 3 1 / 2  hours a
day, may use an indoor playing and movement area of suitable size
is to be available as per 2.2.3.
6.4 The minimum size of an open-air playing space is at the
rate of 5 square metres per child for the first 300 children and 3
square metres for every additional child.
7. Hygiene
7.1 Schools must keep to existing sanitary regulations as
regards hygiene. This is to include classroom, toilet and playground
hygiene, food hygiene, in tuck-shops and cafeterias and dormitories
and living accomodation in the case of boarding schools.
7.2 Schools are subject to the inspection by health inspectors
in this connection and they are to abide by their instructions and
recommendations. The health inspectors will submit a report to the
Minister responsible for education.
4 ġ S.L.327.12 NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR ALL SCHOOLS
8. Teaching Staff
8.1 Teaching Staff are to have a warrant to teach in a school in
accordance with the provisions of the Education Act.
8.2 Licensed Private Schools are to conform with the minimum
qualifications requirements of teachers in state schools for the
appointments of their teaching staff.
8.3 Appointments at all levels of teaching staff (including
Heads and Assistant Heads of School) are to have the prior notice
of the Minister responsible for education.
8.4 Other Staff. The school is to maintain a cleaning staff in a
sufficient number to ensure the general cleanliness of the school
premises.
9. School Times
9.1 Schools which cater for the education of compulsory
school age have to conform to the total number of hours per year as
is required in state schools.
10. Inspection and Information
10.1 In conformity with the provisions of the Education Act,
any school is subject to inspection by officials from the Department
of Education.
When a school is so inspected a report shall be drawn up by
the official assigned for this purpose and a copy shall be entered in
the Department of Education School file, whilst another copy is to
be sent to the particular school, together with such remarks as the
Director of Education or the Minister might deem fit to add.
10.2 Formal school inspections which will review the
conditions of the licence of the school and the standards of
education imparted will be carried out at least every 3 years and the
Inspectors will submit their Report and Recommendations to the
Minister responsible for education.
10.3 Schools catering for the education of children of
compulsory school age will strictly abide with School Attendance
Regulations as issued by the Director of Education (Education
Welfare Section).
10.4 Schools will submit to the Minister of Education or the
Director of Education such returns and information as is required
from time to time.
11. School changes
11.1 Changes in ownership, contracts, Head of School and
address of premises are to be notified to the Minister of Education
in advance.
11.2 Changes of premises or extensions to schools are to have
the previous authorisation of the Minister of Education following
an application by the Head of School.
11.3 Changes m the licence conditions of the school including
the level and the total number of students enrolled must be notified
to and have the previous approval of the Minister.
NATIONAL MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR ALL SCHOOLS ġ S.L.327.12 5
11.4 Changes in School Teaching Staff are to be notified to the
Director of Education.
12. Other Conditions
12.1 Schools are to abide by the conditions set out in any
particular licence.
12.2 The Teachers’ Code of Behaviour shall be adhered to by all
teaching staff in all schools.
12.3 No alteration in rates of payment of school fees or other
dues shall be made without giving prior notice thereof to the
Minister of Education at least one month before the proposed
change is to come into effect:
Provided that rates of payment of school fees or other dues
fixed at the beginning of any scholastic year may not be increased
for the duration of that whole scholastic year.
