This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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East Lothian schools re-open
12/06/2006
Six secondary schools in East Lothian were officially re-opened today after an extensive modernisation and improvement programme.
First Minister Jack McConnell performed the opening ceremony at Knox Academy in Haddington.
The other five schools are Dunbar Grammar School, Musselburgh Grammar School, North Berwick High School, Preston Lodge High School, Ross High School.
All six schools were part of a £43 million Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which also included the building of a new community learning centre.
Mr McConnell said:
"Scotland has an excellent reputation for the quality of its education system, but if we are to raise standards even higher we need excellent school facilities.
"If our pupils are to learn and develop the skills they need, we must provide the best equipment and the best buildings. This new building, and the five others being reopened across East Lothian today, do just that.
"As a former teacher, I know the importance of school facilities like this. They motivate pupils to do well, and create the best possible educational environment for our young people to learn in.
"The largest school building programme in this country's history is one of the real achievements of devolution and our government remains absolutely committed to it.
"The investment here at Knox Academy and across East Lothian's five other secondary schools will benefit not just the young people studying today but the next generation of young Scots learners for many years to come."
Knox Academy has a roll of 925 pupils and around 72 teachers, led by the Headteacher Janis Craig.
The £43m PPP project has involved modernising all six secondary schools across East Lothian (including some extensions) and building a new community learning centre.
The total number of pupils across all 6 six schools set to benefit is 5,800.