£1bn move to rebuild and refurbish schools in Scotland
INVESTMENT of £1billion has been announced by the Scottish Government to help rebuild and refurbish schools in Scotland.
The funding will apply from 2021 when the current school building programme ends.
A total of £1.8bn has been invested in the school estate since 2009 through the Schools for the Future programme, with £1.13bn of Scottish Government funding and £665million from councils.
The fund will aim to deliver digitally enabled, low-carbon schools and campuses providing benefits to pupils and the local economy.
New investment models to support the scheme will be developed in partnership with Cosla and councils, with decisions on which schools will benefit focused on those in the poorest condition. It is expected partnership design and development work will begin next year.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney made the announcement yesterday at the Education Buildings Scotland conference in Edinburgh.
Mr Swinney said: “Every pupil should have the best support throughout their education, which includes access to high-quality, up-to-date facilities that parents, staff and children can be proud of.
“This further £1bn investment will build on the progress already made by the existing Schools for the Future Programme.”