This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Every school to benefit from extra money: McConnell
06/08/2001
Every child in every school will benefit immediately from a £10 million cash boost announced today by Jack McConnell Minister for Education.
The money, which will go direct to schools, is the first stage of a new long term strategic approach to improving Scotland's school environments.
Speaking today, Mr McConnell said,
"Children in Scotland deserve to learn in a positive environment to allow them to reach their full potential.
"By providing extra money for books, equipment and minor repairs for every school across the country, we are taking another first step towards ensuring that happens. I want to see equipment and maintenance of school buildings improved year after year.
"This money, which will be available immediately, will be used for local priorities and help in the drive for continuous improvement in every area of education. This will allow head teachers to get on with improving their school using the knowledge they and their colleagues have of what needs to be done."
Confirming plans to meet council leaders in the coming months Mr McConnell added:
"This is step one in the first real strategy to improve the learning environment and forms a key part of our determination to drive up standards across the board in education.
"But we cannot achieve that alone. It is important that Councils and the Executive work in partnership to deliver quality in all areas of education. I know we share a commitment to meet the needs of education in the 21 st Century and I look forward to working with them to deliver that aim."
BACKGROUND
- The Additional resources will be allocated to education authorities for immediate distribution to schools in their areas under the grants for Improvements in School Education (Scotland) Regulations 1998. The resources will be allocated by the Executive to authorities on the basis of the roll of schools in each authority area as outlined below:
Primary Schools:
100 pupils or less - £1,000,
100-200 pupils - £1,500,
200-400 pupils - £4,000.
400-600 pupils - £5,000.
600 or more - £8,000
Secondary Schools:
Up to 600 pupils - £8,000,
600-1200 - £10,000.
More than 1200 - £12,000.
- The resources may be spent on books and other educational materials, equipment, including ICT and repairs and decoration, taking account of the school development plan.
News Release: SE1826/2001
6 Aug 2001