This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding boost for Orkney education
28/11/2006
Pupils and teachers in Orkney are set to reap the rewards of Scotland's biggest ever school buildings programme.
Education Minister Hugh Henry announced today that Orkney Islands Council is joining the Public Private Partnership (PPP) building programme, with Executive support for a £50 million project. Kirkwall Grammar School was identified as a priority in the council's business case and the council will now be able to consider its options more closely.
The education PPP project may form part of a larger scheme to include plans for the redevelopment of Kirkwall's Balfour Hospital, options for which are currently being examined. Combining these projects should result in economies of scale and provide better value for money.
Across Scotland, 30 councils are now part of the current PPP schools programme involving total investment of over £2.3 billion.
Mr Henry said:
"Throughout Scotland, we are building a successful future for thousands of young people, thanks to our unprecedented investment in school buildings.
"Many pupils, communities and teachers are already reaping the rewards of new or refurbished schools. Orkney can now also look forward to the benefits that a modern teaching and learning environment, fit for the 21st century, can bring.
"Where pupils are taught in well-designed, well-built and well-managed schools we know that it can help them achieve their full potential, building strong foundations for a successful future.
"That's why schools throughout the country are being transformed and, by 2009, a further 300 will have been rebuilt or revamped as part of our continued investment in our schools."
Further information on the Executive's Public Private Partnership programme is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12255
Specific information about school estate projects is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12266