To perform essential energy and insulation upgrades, the government plans to move students and staff of Albert I High School to Annonciade, in the premises of the future former Charles III Middle School, for the 2025/2026 school year.
This move is a strategic maneuver typical of Monaco, where available land is limited. According to Monaco-Matin, the Princely Government intends to relocate approximately 800 students and the staff of Albert I High School to the future former Charles III Middle School in Annonciade during the 2025-2026 school year. This will allow significant energy and insulation work to be carried out on the historic building located on the Rock, which was once a convent of the Visitation.
On May 7, during a preliminary information meeting at the Armand-Lunel room, government ministers Céline Caron-Dagioni and Patrice Cellario informed the teaching and non-teaching staff of Albert I High School about this government plan. They explained that the government had considered two options.
The first option, conducting the work on an occupied site during each school vacation, was ultimately dismissed due to numerous constraints: the duration of the work (over 7 years), budget issues, nuisances, and the impossibility of performing certain tasks.
Thus, the government now prefers the "relocation" option to the Annonciade neighborhood, utilizing the availability of the Charles III Middle School premises. These premises will be vacant as the current occupants will move to a new school structure on the Pasteur block, replacing the disused SNCF land, in September 2024. "The government decided that the building, instead of being left empty and unmaintained, would be maintained to be available for emergencies before its eventual demolition as part of Annonciade's urbanization," explains Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment, and Urban Planning, to Monaco-Matin.
Regarding the timing of Albert I High School's relocation for the 2025-2026 school year, the government explained the reason for the one-year delay. "We want to take the time to study the energy renovation project thoroughly to proceed quickly afterward but, most importantly, to manage this transfer properly, which will inevitably be traumatic for everyone, as any change is disruptive," argues Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior. Céline Caron-Dagioni adds, "This decision is part of the 2025 preliminary budget. We need funds and thus a debate with the elected members of the National Council to explain that we collectively support this decision in the interest of teachers and students, so they can work in good conditions."
Before the budgetary deadline in the National Council's Hemicycle at the end of the year, the project will be discussed with elected officials in the plenary commission of Major Works.
The decision did not seem to cause significant internal upheaval among the 91 teachers. While this relocation requires personal adjustments, particularly for commuting to the temporary teaching location, everyone is aware of the need to modernize Albert I High School, whose premises suffer from the ravages of time. "In the summer, it gets very hot in the classrooms. And in winter, we sometimes go weeks without heating due to technical problems. Some windows also can't be opened," testifies a teacher anonymously.
The government also anticipates parking needs on-site and bus services.
Albert I High School currently has 841 students, 91 teachers, and 41 non-teaching staff. The Monaco Teachers Union (SEM) declined to comment.
Initially, the government's strategy was to conduct the energy and insulation work on-site during each school vacation, with a schedule dictated by setting up and dismantling the construction site before each return of students.
"In total, it would have taken more than seven years," calculates Céline Caron-Dagioni. "This would inevitably involve implementation difficulties and higher costs due to repeated setup and dismantling, which companies pass on to the client."
Additionally, there would be potential nuisances from dust in the premises, even with diligent cleaning.