Scottish Government
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More new school buildings
Another 30 schools are expected to be built or refurbished as part of the next phase of the school buildings programme - 12 more than originally planned - First Minister Alex Salmond announced recently.
The recent announcement will see the total number of projects built under the £1.25 billion 'Scottish Schools for the Future' programme rise to more than 60, providing high quality facilities for thousands more pupils and their teachers.
This takes the total number of schools built or refurbished since 2007 to 330 (12.5 per cent of all schools in Scotland). This compares with 328 completed over the preceding 8 years.
The First Minister said:
"We are aiming to deliver another 30 new schools through the next phase of our Scottish Schools for the Future programme, rather than the 18 originally planned.
""The overall investment in the school capital project, £1.25 billion, is part of the Scottish Futures Trust's overall £9 billion portfolio. These additional projects are entirely possible due to the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure investment in Scotland.
"Recent figures reveal that 82 per cent of Scottish school children are now being taught in good quality buildings. This is a marked improvement from the figure of 62 per cent in 2007. And this third phase of the Scottish Schools for the Future programme will widen access to quality school facilities further still,
"However, we want schools fit for purpose for every child in Scotland and will help Local Authorities to achieve this aim. We will continue to prioritise spend on areas that will directly support jobs and growth. Investing in school infrastructure is part of this work.
"It is only right that our children are able to reach their full potential in an environment that helps and enhances their learning."
In June 2009, the then Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning announced Government support of £800 million towards a new £1.25 billion school building programme. It was estimated, based on prevailing market conditions at that time, this would allow for 55 new or refurbished schools to be built.
To date, 37 school projects have been announced - 16 secondary, 20 primary and 1 special school project, benefitting almost 20,000 pupils. An additional 18 were planned for the next phase, taking the total to 55 - however, due to the efficient and effective management of investment in infrastructure by the Scottish Future's Trust, considerable more than 18 new projects are expected in this next phase of the programme. Today's announcement means the total number will now be more than 60.
A short term working group will be established with a remit to provide the criteria against which proposals for schools to benefit from the programme will be evaluated.
The focus of this criteria will be on issues relating to condition and suitability of school buildings. The group will comprise of representatives from the Scottish Futures Trust, Scottish Government and local authorities.
