Twenty-five Scottish schools and campuses will be rebuilt or refurbished due to an expenditure of nearly £800 million.
Education Secretary John Swinney announced that the Scottish Government support, along with local authority contributions, would allow changes in 18 local authorities.
Ministers also said Step 2 of the Learning Estate Investment Program would deliver digitally-enabled, low-carbon classrooms.
The program is expected to help about 50,000 pupils by the end of the next parliament and will be managed by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) on behalf of the Scottish Government.
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Schools and campuses included in Phase 2 include Gaelic Primary and a new elementary school in Glasgow city center, Liberton High and Wester Hailes Education Centre in Edinburgh, Peincuik High and Mayfield Primary School Campus in Midlothian, Perth High and Nairn Academy.
Mr Swinney said, “I am determined that our students have access to high quality, modern facilities that parents, staff and children can be proud of.
“This next step builds on our dedication and proven track record in regenerating schools in poor condition so that more children and young people can be taught in high quality buildings and ensure equal provision.
“The Scottish construction industry has worked extremely hard to address the many difficulties generated by the COVID pandemic. This investment will benefit the sector, maintaining many jobs and providing a welcome boost to communities around the country.
“Many of the programs would provide more community services and incorporation as part of new school construction or renovation. These facilities are so much more than just a school educating children, they are the heart of communities with access to secondary education and community libraries.”
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Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA’s children and young people’s spokesperson, said, “Scottish councils are committed to providing our children and young people with the world-class learning atmosphere they deserve.
“This second phase of joint investment between Scottish and local government has far-reaching benefits, but can only be accomplished by good collaboration working.
“It has been a very difficult year for our communities so this is positive news before Christmas and it gives our children and young people a sense of the importance that all areas of government put on their learning environment. Councils are rightly prioritizing this investment at a time when there are real obstacles and conflicting goals.”
Gemma Boggs, Senior Associate Director at SFT, added: “We are excited to be launching Phase 2 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme. As program managers, we will continue to collaborate with our public and private sector partners to deliver this increased funding, which will be welcome news for the construction industry.
“These new or renovated facilities will provide world-class, digitally-enabled learning environments and will be designed to be community-centric. The program’s ambitious energy goals will contribute to our net-zero goals.”
List of Phase 2 projects:
Angus City Council – Monifieth High School
City of Edinburgh Council – Liberton High School
City of Edinburgh Council – Wester Hailes Education Centre
Dumfries and Galloway City Council – Dumfries High School
Dundee City Council – Planned new campus to replace Craigie and Braeview High Schools
East Ayrshire Council – Doon Valley Community Campus
East Ayrshire City Council – St Sophia’s Primary School
Fife City Council – Inverkeithing High School
Glasgow City Council – Gaelic Primary School
Glasgow City Council – New City Center Primary School
Highland City Council – Broadford Primary School
Highland City Council – Nairn Academy
Midlothian City Council – Penicuik High School
Midlothian City Council – Mayfield Primary School Campus
Moray City Council – Findrassie Primary School
North Ayrshire City Council – Montgomerie Park Primary School
Perth and Kinross City Council – Perth High School
Perth and Kinross City Council – North Perth Primary School
Renfrewshire City Council – Paisley Grammar Community Campus
Scottish Borders City Council – Galashiels Academy
Scottish Borders Council – Peebles Middle School
South Lanarkshire Council – Newton Farm Extension Grun